Aug 4, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (16) covers home plate against the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Aug 4, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (16) covers home plate against the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Dodgers Considering Placing Will Smith On Injured List Due To Right Hand Injury

Originally posted on Dodger Blue | Last updated Sep 13, 2025 10:20 AM ET

Will Smith was a late scratch from the Los Angeles Dodgers’ lineup on Wednesday against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium. This came one day after he returned to the lineup on Tuesday for the first time since taking a foul ball off his right hand on Sept. 3.

The Dodgers announced Smith was scratched due to right-hand soreness.

Based on the results of an X-ray and CT scan on his right hand taken last week, the Dodgers believed Smith was healthy enough to avoid the injured list. However, he had been dealing with a bone bruise on his right hand that will need to be managed for the rest of 2025.

Smith was not in the lineup for a second straight game, this time the series opener against the San Francisco Giants.

The 30-year-old underwent another test that came back clean, but there have been complications. That has led to the Dodgers considering an IL stint for the veteran catcher, according to Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:

Dave Roberts said an MRI on Will Smith’s hand came back clean, but that it still “doesn’t feel great”

Roberts said the team has discussed potentially putting him on the IL to give it more time to heal, but that they’re “not there yet.” Smith is available off the bench if needed https://t.co/6nM90Q0Prw

— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) September 13, 2025

Smith was able to complete Tuesday’s game against the Rockies, collecting a double in four at-bats.

With Dalton Rushing currently on the 10-day injured list with a right shin contusion, Ben Rortvedt is the only catcher on the active roster capable of starting at the moment.

Rushing did begin a rehab assignment with the Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets on Thursday. He has made one start at catcher and one as the designated hitter, going one-for-five with three walks in his first two games with the Comets.

If the Dodgers did need to bring up another catcher for the time being, Chuckie Robinson remains on the 40-man roster after a short stint with the club last week.

Ben Rortvedt filling in nicely for Will Smith

The Dodgers acquired Rortvedt in a three-team deal with the Tampa Bay Rays and Cincinnati Reds at the trade deadline to replace Hunter Feduccia as the third catcher on their organizational depth chart.

He has appeared in seven games for the Dodgers since being called up on Sept. 4 and has earned the praise of manager Dave Roberts.

This article first appeared on Dodger Blue and was syndicated with permission.

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