Will Smith - Page 27 - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates | FOX Sports

Not expected back before Friday Smith (concussion) is not expected to return during the Dodgers' current road trip, which runs through Thursday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Impact Smith has missed 10 days while recovering from a concussion and is expected to miss at least five more. He's reportedly making progress, but it will be Austin Barnes and Austin Wynns who remain the Dodgers' catchers for the conclusion of the weekend series against the Cubs as well as the upcoming series against the Pirates.

APRIL 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Likely out for weekend Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Thursday that he doesn't expect Smith (concussion) to return during the weekend series against the Cubs, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports...

Impact The initial plan was for Smith to return to the Dodgers' lineup Thursday against the Cubs, but it now seems that he will have to wait a bit longer. Roberts added that Smith is improving, but gave no more details on when the 28-year-old backstop might play again.

APRIL 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Won't be activated Thursday Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters that Smith (concussion) is "days away" from being activated from the injured list, but it won't be before Thursday's game against the Cu...

Impact Smith still has a few boxes to check and he won't be able to do so before the series against the Cubs begins Thursday. The Dodgers are understandably taking every precaution they can with their starting backstop, and while he has a chance to return this week there are no guarantees when coming back from a head injury.

APRIL 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Hoping to return Thursday Smith (concussion) went through a full workout Monday and told reporters that he's hoping to be able to return Thursday against the Cubs, but he doesn't want to rush back, Juan Tor...

Impact Smith was placed on the 7-day injured list before Sunday's game, and he told reporters it's the first time that he's ever received a concussion. There's a good chance that the backstop is back before the end of the week, but the Dodgers will understandably take every necessary precaution before Smith is starting games behind the plate.

APRIL 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Placed on concussion injured list Smith was placed on the seven-day concussion injured list by the Dodgers on Sunday, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Impact Smith has been out of the lineup for the Dodgers since Friday with what has been described as an illness. The backstop will miss at least a week of action with the Dodgers taking careful precautions with their 28-year-old starting backstop. The Dodgers have signed Austin Wynns in a corresponding move, but Austin Barnes should see the majority of reps behind the plate while Smith is out.

APRIL 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Sunday Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters after Saturday's win against the Cubs that Smith (illness) won't play in Sunday's series finale and will undergo further testing, J.P. H...

Impact Austin Barnes will once again be behind the plate. Smith has missed the last two games because of the undisclosed illness and will miss at least one more with Hoornstra believing that there could be a roster move coming. For now Smith is still considered day-to-day but the results of the testing will go a long way towards determining his status going forward.

APRIL 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Remains sidelined Saturday Smith (illness) remains out of the lineup Saturday against the Cubs.

Impact Smith was absent from Friday's series opener because of an illness and will take at least one more day of rest. Austin Barnes is starting at catcher and batting ninth on Jackie Robinson Day at Dodger Stadium.

APRIL 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Out with illness Smith is sitting Friday against the Cubs due to an illness, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Impact He was supposed to be in the lineup but came in feeling sick Friday. Austin Barnes is starting at catcher and Smith should be considered day-to-day.

APRIL 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Day off Friday Smith isn't starting Friday against the Cubs, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Impact Smith has caught fire to start the season, slashing .333/.417/.641 through his first 11 games. He will enjoy an off day Friday as Austin Barnes takes over behind the dish and bats ninth.

APRIL 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Mike Trout, Pete Alonso headline Ben Verlander's MLB team of the week

FOX Sports' Ben Verlander shares his team of the week for the first full week of the 2023 MLB season.

APRIL 10, 2023 • FOX SPORTS

Mike Trout, Pete Alonso headline Ben Verlander's MLB team of the week

MLB Team of the Week: Dodgers catcher Will Smith keeps getting better | Flippin Bats

MLB Team of the Week: Dodgers catcher Will Smith keeps getting better | Flippin Bats

APRIL 10, 2023 • FOX SPORTS

Out of lineup Sunday Smith is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Impact Smith gets Sunday off with Austin Barnes getting the nod behind the plate. The backstop has been excellent in his first seven games of the year with three homers and a 1.269 OPS over 27 at-bats.

APRIL 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting out Friday Smith isn't in the Dodgers' lineup for Friday's contest with the Diamondbacks, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Impact Smith is off to a scorching-hot start to the season, slashing .391/.464/.913 through his first six games with at least one hit in each of them. He'll get a day off Friday, allowing Austin Barnes to start behind the dish and bat ninth.

APRIL 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Shohei Ohtani & Bryan Reynolds highlight Ben's early MVP race | Flippin' Bats

Shohei Ohtani & Bryan Reynolds highlight Ben's early MVP race | Flippin' Bats

APRIL 7, 2023 • FOX SPORTS

Homers again in win Smith went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and a run-scoring double in Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Rockies.

Impact Smith left the yard for the third game in a row and appears to have settled in just fine after moving up to the No. 3 spot in the order in 2023 after primarily batting cleanup last season. He's recorded at least one hit while starting in five of the Dodgers' first six games and is tied for the MLB lead in RBI with 10.

APRIL 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Smacks two-run shot in win Smith went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer and an additional run scored in Monday's victory over the Rockies.

Impact Smith has secured at least one hit in each of his first four starts of the season and has home runs in back-to-back games. The 2016 first-round pick has slashed at least .250/.335/.465 in each of his first four MLB seasons and remains one of the more consistent offensive catchers in the league.

APRIL 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Blasts first homer Smith went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's loss to Arizona.

Impact Smith sat out Saturday's contest but was back behind the plate Sunday, batting out of the No. 3 slot. He produced the Dodgers' only run of the game with his first-inning solo shot off Zach Davies. Smith is off to a strong start to the campaign, starting in three of Los Angeles' first four contests and posting a .455/.500/.818 slash line with the home run, five RBI and a 2:2 B:K over 14 plate appearances.

APRIL 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Won't catch Saturday Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters Friday that Smith will not catch Saturday's contest against the Diamondbacks, Matthew Moreno of DodgerBlue.com reports.

Impact Roberts doesn't want Smith to catch three games in a row in the early part of the year. That means Austin Barnes will be behind the plate for the Dodgers on Saturday, and Roberts says they'll have more right-handed options in the lineup. Smith could end up being the DH, but it's also very possible he'll get a day off after playing in the first two contests.

MARCH 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Plates four runs on Opening Day Smith went 3-for-4 with a double, a run and four RBI in Thursday's 8-2 win against Arizona.

Impact Smith's first at-bat of the campaign was about as professional as they come, as he took a Zac Gallen offspeed offering the other way for a double in the first inning. In the third, the backstop came up with runners on second and third and two outs, and he came through with a clutch single to right field to tie the score 2-2. Smith later gave Los Angeles its first lead with a two-run single in the fifth inning. The Opening Day performance served as a strong reminder of Smith's status as one of the top hitting catchers in the league. He should have plenty of opportunities to produce this season as the Dodgers No. 3 hitter, behind Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman.

MARCH 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Back in Cactus League lineup Smith is back in the Dodgers' Cactus League lineup Thursday against the Diamondbacks.

Impact Smith will start behind the plate and bat third. He didn't get many at-bats for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic while mostly serving as J.T. Realmuto's backup, so the Dodgers figure to push him hard over what remains of the Cactus League schedule. The 27-year-old has gone as the No. 3 catcher-eligible player off the board in most fantasy drafts for 2023, behind only Realmuto and Daulton Varsho.

MARCH 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Mexico vs. USA Highlights | 2023 World Baseball Classic

Mexico vs. USA Highlights | 2023 World Baseball Classic

MARCH 13, 2023 • FOX SPORTS

Team USA's Will Smith hits a solo home run to bring the deficit to 7-2 in favor of Mexico

Team USA's Will Smith hits a solo home run to bring the deficit to 7-2 in favor of Mexico

MARCH 13, 2023 • FOX SPORTS

Expected to bat third Dodgers manager Dave Roberts hinted Wednesday that Smith will be the team's No. 3 hitter this season, Doug Padilla of the Orange County Register reports. "It's hard to go wrong wit...

Impact Smith most frequently batted out of the cleanup spot in 2022, but Los Angeles' lineup has a different look this season, and Roberts appears to favor moving him up a slot. The backstop should continue to see plenty of opportunities to produce with Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman likely hitting ahead of him, though Smith could play slightly fewer games with the DH slot -- where he started 24 times last year -- now expected to be occupied on a near-everyday basis by J.D. Martinez. Even if that's the case, Smith should have ample opportunity to put up numbers worthy of a top-three catcher in fantasy, which is where he's largely being drafted this spring.

MARCH 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ranking the best 24 catchers of 2023 in the MLB

Who are baseball's best catchers? Ben Verlander breaks down his five tiers for the toughest position in baseball.

FEBRUARY 22, 2023 • FOX SPORTS

Ranking the best 24 catchers of 2023 in the MLB

Dodgers' Will Smith & Orioles' Adley Rutschman headline The Almost Elite catcher tier | Flippin Bats

Dodgers' Will Smith & Orioles' Adley Rutschman headline The Almost Elite catcher tier | Flippin Bats

FEBRUARY 21, 2023 • FOX SPORTS