Over the past eight seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Will Smith has solidified his reputation as one of baseball’s elite catchers. The 31-year-old has earned three All-Star selections and consistently delivered clutch performances in the postseason.
Smith played a pivotal role in the Dodgers securing three World Series championships, often coming through with crucial hits in high-stakes October games. This season, he has maintained a .266 batting average, a .337 on-base percentage, and a .729 OPS, alongside three home runs and 14 RBIs through 24 appearances.
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The Dodgers are fortunate to have Smith locked in until the 2033 season under his 10-year, $140 million contract. Considering the consistent value he brings night after night, this deal is widely regarded as one of the organization’s most astute financial moves.
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (16)© Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
On Friday, Smith delivered a notable performance in the series opener against the Chicago Cubs, hitting a three-run home run in the bottom of the third inning. Despite his efforts, Los Angeles couldn’t hold onto their lead and ultimately lost the game 6-4.
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As the Dodgers aimed to rebound on Saturday, Smith was conspicuously absent from the starting lineup. This marked the third instance in five days that his backup, Dalton Rushing, took over catching duties for Los Angeles.
While it’s typical for Rushing to step in to provide Smith with a day of rest, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts clarified during his pregame remarks to reporters that this was not the reason for Smith’s absence on this occasion.
Roberts confirmed that Smith is dealing with back tightness, necessitating his removal from the lineup. Encouragingly, Roberts assured that the team isn’t concerned about a long-term issue and anticipates Smith will be available for Sunday’s series finale (per Jack Harris of the California Post).
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This current ailment is thankfully not a major setback for Smith. It contrasts with last September when he suffered a fractured right hand, which forced him to miss the beginning of the Dodgers’ MLB playoff run.
Furthermore, the Dodgers aren’t facing a significant short-term disadvantage, as Smith’s alternate, Rushing, has had a strong start to 2026 and proven to be highly competent when called upon. Nevertheless, Smith remains the primary choice behind the plate.
Given his indispensable contributions to both the pitching staff and the offensive lineup, the Dodgers are hopeful that this minor issue will resolve quickly and not affect them deeper into the season.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 25, 2026, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.