The Los Angeles Dodgers received another encouraging update on Will Smith’s rehabilitation Saturday, with the All-Star catcher continuing to make progress toward a potential return later this season.
Smith came through on-field batting practice without any apparent issues and continued his baseball activities Saturday, providing another positive sign for a Dodgers team that has been carefully managing his recovery. While there is still work to be done before Smith can return to game action, the latest developments have increased optimism that he could be back in the lineup during September.
The Dodgers are not rushing the process.
Smith will remain behind when Los Angeles travels to Colorado, allowing him to maintain his rehabilitation schedule and continue progressing at the appropriate pace. Rather than making the trip and potentially disrupting his recovery routine, the Dodgers appear focused on giving their starting catcher the time and repetitions he needs before beginning the next major step: a rehab assignment.
Manager Dave Roberts offered an optimistic assessment of Smith’s condition, saying the “arrow is pointing up” as the catcher continues building toward a rehab assignment.
That phrase could be especially meaningful for a Dodgers club entering an important stretch of the season.
Smith has been one of the most important pieces of Los Angeles’ lineup since establishing himself as the team’s primary catcher. His ability to contribute offensively while handling the demanding responsibilities behind the plate makes him difficult to replace for an extended period.
The Dodgers have managed without him, but there is little question that getting Smith back would provide a significant boost.
The immediate goal, however, is not simply getting Smith back onto the field. It is making sure he is ready to handle the physical demands of catching and playing regularly once he returns.
On-field batting practice represents an important checkpoint because it allows Smith to test his swing in a more realistic baseball environment. Continuing baseball activities without setbacks gives the Dodgers another reason to remain confident about the rehabilitation timeline.
Still, there are several steps between batting practice and a major-league return.
Smith will eventually need to demonstrate that he can handle more extensive baseball activity before beginning a rehab assignment. Once that assignment starts, the Dodgers can evaluate how his body responds to game conditions, including catching, hitting, running and handling the repeated workload that comes with playing regularly.
That process will ultimately determine when Smith is ready to return to the Dodgers.
For now, September has emerged as the target.
The timing could be crucial. September represents the final month of the regular season, when every game becomes increasingly important in the race for postseason positioning. A healthy Smith returning around that time could give the Dodgers another major offensive weapon as they prepare for October.
Los Angeles has dealt with its share of injuries throughout the season, making health one of the biggest storylines surrounding the club. The Dodgers have enough talent to withstand individual absences, but their championship aspirations depend heavily on having key players available when the postseason arrives.
Smith is certainly among those players.
His offensive production adds another dimension to a lineup already featuring some of baseball’s biggest stars. More importantly, his presence behind the plate provides stability at a demanding position where familiarity, communication and defensive consistency matter enormously.
The Dodgers therefore have every reason to take a conservative approach.
Keeping Smith back from the Colorado trip is not necessarily a setback. Instead, it appears to be part of a carefully structured rehabilitation plan designed to keep him on schedule. The organization would much rather have Smith complete each stage of his recovery properly than accelerate his return and risk another problem.
That patience could pay off later.
Roberts’ “arrow is pointing up” comment captures the current mood surrounding Smith perfectly. There is optimism, but there is also an understanding that the rehabilitation process must continue.
For Dodgers fans, Saturday’s batting-practice session provides something they have been waiting for: tangible evidence that Smith is moving closer to a return.
The next major milestone will be a rehab assignment. If Smith continues progressing without complications, that assignment could provide the Dodgers with an opportunity to see how he responds to competitive action before making a final decision about his return to Los Angeles.
Until then, the message from the Dodgers remains encouraging.
Will Smith is progressing, the rehabilitation schedule remains intact, and September is now the target. Nothing is guaranteed until he successfully completes the remaining steps, but Saturday’s activity gives the Dodgers another reason to believe their star catcher could be back at precisely the time they need him most.
For a team with postseason ambitions, that could become one of the most important developments of the final weeks of the regular season.