The Los Angeles Dodgers will be without Will Smith for a little while longer, while Mookie Betts was scratched from Wednesday night's game.
After missing the last 22 games with neck inflammation, Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith will remain sidelined.
According to MLB.com's Sonja Chen, a Dodgers beat reporter, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts does not expect Smith to return to the Dodgers before the All-Star break. Smith has yet to participate in any baseball activities and did not travel with the team during their current road trip.
At first, Smith's neck flareup was viewed as just a minor issue that would keep him out of just one game. But, that one-game dismissal turned into a complicated road of recovery and setbacks.
Eventually, Los Angeles placed the 31-year-old backstop on the Injured List (retroactive to June 8) with neck inflammation. Smith had even received a cortisone shot to try and reduce the inflammation. But, it looks as though the Dodgers' efforts to minimize the pain in Smith's neck have fallen short.
In his absence, Dalton Rushing has been taking the lion's share of starts at catcher, alongside Chuckie Robinson.
Though Rushing has slashed .235/.325/.397 in the month of June, it has been on-field occurrences that have shed light on the rookie catcher.
Despite that, Roberts has commended Rushing's improvement behind the plate and his growth as a major league ball player.
Mookie Betts Scratched From Starting Lineup
Ahead of the Dodgers' series-closing game against the Athletics in West Sacramento, Calif., shortstop Mookie Betts was unexpectedly scratched from his spot in the lineup.
Originally, Betts was slotted in the cleanup spot and starting at his usual position at shortstop. Now, Miguel Rojas replaces the 33-year-old and is moved to the seventh bat in the order.
According to Jack Harris of The California Post, Betts is suffering from a sore wrist and has been taken out of the lineup as a precaution.
Jun 29, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50) looks to challenge a call after Athletics second baseman Joshua Kuroda-Grauer (44) hit a double in the ninth inning at Sutter Health Park. -- © Cary Edmondson-Imagn ImagesThe Dodgers are “erring on the side of caution” involving Betts, per Roberts.
Depending on the severity of Bett's discomfort, Los Angeles will keep a microscopic eye on their shortstop, especially after his month-plus stint on the IL with a right oblique strain that occurred in April and lasted until May.
This comes at a time when Betts has seemingly found the recipe for success at the plate. In his 32 at-bats, he is slashing .406/.424/.750 and has produced an OPS of .816 in June.
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