Dodgers' Will Smith Announces Update Before Game 1 Against Reds

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin Groe | Last updated Sep 29, 2025 7:30 PM ET

The Los Angeles Dodgers finished the regular season with momentum, winning 15 of their last 21 games. It still was not enough to propel them into a top-two seed in the NL, and Los Angeles is set to host a wild card series against the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday.

One of the biggest storylines heading into the series is the availability of All-Star catcher Will Smith. The 30-year-old backstop has been a consistent piece of the Dodgers’ title runs in 2020 and 2024. Smith has also had arguably the best season of his career in 2025, taking strides defensively and in the batter’s box. Over 110 games this year, he has batted .337 with a .973 OPS with runners in scoring position, frequently driving in runs in the middle of the lineup. He’s displayed elite power too, mashing 17 home runs, 20 doubles and 61 RBIs.

Will Smith Shares Injury Update as MLB Playoffs Near

Smith suffered a fracture in his right hand in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in early September, which has limited his availability. The Dodgers catcher attempted to play through it but appeared in just three games before being placed on the injured list on Sept. 13. Smith has progressed since then and felt okay after swinging a bat last week, yet manager Dave Roberts reiterated Smith needed to progress to live at-bats on Monday in order to have a chance at being activated.

Fortunately on Monday, Smith announced via Bill Plunkett of Orange County Register that the plan was to take live at-bats during the team’s workout, making it a possibility for him to be activated in time for Game 1 against Cincinnati on Tuesday.

#Dodgers Will Smith said he will try to take live at-bats during tonight’s workout. Max Muncy also expected to
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) September 29, 2025

Although it is not a guarantee that Smith appears on the roster for the upcoming best-of-three matchup with the Reds, the latest update signals he’s at least trending in the right direction. In Smith’s absence, Ben Rortvedt has stepped in and handled the pitching staff. Rortvedt was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays at the trade deadline and has stepped into the full-time role in September, while rookie Dalton Rushing has struggled.

Still, Rortvedt is a clear downgrade from Smith, and if the Dodgers intend on making a deep postseason run and repeating as champions, it will be a much tougher task without Smith behind the plate.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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