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Dalton Rushing Undergoing Elbow Surgery, Facing Nine-Month Recovery
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing (elbow) was scheduled to have right-elbow surgery on Wednesday, sources told Maddie Lee of The Los Angeles Times. The procedure is expected to be a hybrid internal-brace surgery, and the expected timeline to return to catching full time is nine months, with a return to hitting well before then. A partial UCL tear of his right elbow, which was diagnosed in early August, was the reason why Rushing only saw 11 plate appearances in the final two months of the regular season. He will not be able to serve as a catcher for the Dodgers for the entire first half of the 2027 season, although he could still be used as a designated hitter if he is cleared before he can return to catching duties. The reality is that fantasy managers probably will not be able to use Rushing until after the All-Star break in mid-July. The 25-year-old left-handed-hitting backstop played in 80 games in his second MLB season with the Blue and slashed .246/.328/.469 with a .788 OPS, 12 home runs, 36 RBI, and 37 runs scored in 253 plate appearances as the backup to Will Smith.
Source: The Los Angeles Times - Maddie Lee
Source: The Los Angeles Times - Maddie Lee
Dodgers Activate Catcher Will Smith From Injured List
The Los Angeles Dodgers announced on Tuesday that they activated catchers Will Smith (neck) and Dalton Rushing (elbow) from the injured list on Tuesday. Catcher Ben Rortvedt was designated for assignment in a corresponding move. Smith is finally back from a neck injury that cost him three months, and he went 4-for-16 at the plate with two doubles and a home run in five minor-league rehab games. The Dodgers will likely ease Smith back into the fold with both Rushing and Hunter Feduccia on the roster and capable of splitting time behind the dish. The return of the 31-year-old Smith, a three-time All-Star, definitely makes an already strong Dodgers lineup stronger. He will be looking to turn things around offensively after hitting just .249 (43-for-173) with six home runs, 23 RBI, and 23 runs scored in his first 173 at-bats before he injured his neck. Smith did not look great at the plate earlier this year, but he has the potential to make an impact down the stretch in single-catcher fantasy leagues. He is currently rostered in 69% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Los Angeles Dodgers
Source: Los Angeles Dodgers
Will Smith Expected to Return on Tuesday
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (neck) is expected to rejoin the team on Tuesday, according to Sonja Chen of MLB.com. Smith has been out since early June due to a neck injury. He began a rehab assignment on August 25 and appears to be on the verge of returning to the big league roster. His return is a welcoming sight for the Dodgers, who have struggled to find consistent production from the catcher spot lately. This season, Smith is slashing .249/.338/.382 with six home runs and 23 RBI across 52 games. It hasn't been a great year for Smith offensively, but he could be worth scooping up off the waiver wire for fantasy managers seeking help at the catcher spot.
Source: Sonja Chen
Source: Sonja Chen
Will Smith Catches Five Innings and Homers in Rehab Appearance
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (neck) made a rehab appearance with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday. Smith caught five innings and went one-for-three at the plate with a home run and two RBI. The veteran backstop has been sidelined since early June due to a neck injury, but he appears to be on the verge of returning to the big leagues. Across 201 plate appearances before the injury, Smith slashed .248/.338/.382 with six home runs, 23 RBI, and 23 runs scored. He struck out in just 16.9% of his plate appearances while posting a stellar 13.4% barrel rate. Given how long Smith has been out, he will likely need multiple rehab games before being activated by the Dodgers. Still, once healthy, Smith profiles as a must-start fantasy catcher.
Source: milb.com
Source: milb.com
Will Smith Could Begin a Rehab Assignment Next Week
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said catcher Will Smith (neck) could begin a rehab assignment next week, per David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports. Smith has not played since early June due to a neck injury, but he appears to be making steady progress towards a return. Across 201 plate appearances before the injury, the 31-year-old is hitting .248/.338/.382 with six home runs, 23 RBI, and 23 runs scored. While Smith's overall production at the plate was below his career norms, he posted a stellar 13.4% barrel rate while striking out in just 16.9% of his trips to the plate. The Dodgers are also currently without emerging young catcher Dalton Rushing (elbow) due to an elbow injury, so Smith should see as much playing time as he can handle once healthy. Upon his return, Smith profiles as a must-start fantasy catcher.
Source: AM 570 LA Sports - David Vassegh
Source: AM 570 LA Sports - David Vassegh
Will Smith Takes On-Field Batting Practice
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (neck) took on-field batting practice on Friday before the team's game against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers, according to Sonja Chen of MLB.com. Smith has been on the injured list for over two months, but he's slowly making progress after being cleared to resume baseball activities at the end of July. The 31-year-old veteran backstop will eventually need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment, but if he can avoid any setbacks once he resumes playing in games, it seems plausible that he could be back in the Dodgers' starting lineup by the end of August. It's been a tough 2026 season for the three-time All-Star and former first-rounder, as Smith has played in just 52 games (201 plate appearances) and has hit .249 (43-for-173) with six home runs, 23 RBI, and 23 runs scored. Once back to full health, though, he'll be L.A.'s primary catcher in one of the best lineups in the league. Smith is rostered in only 68% of Yahoo leagues now after his extended stay on the sidelines due to a frustrating neck injury that initially wasn't even expected to land him on the IL.
Source: MLB.com - Sonja Chen
Source: MLB.com - Sonja Chen
Will Smith Could Take On-Field Batting Practice This Week
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Monday that catcher Will Smith (neck) could take on-field batting practice sometime this week, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. It is a "big week" ahead of Smith ramping up his rehab. A nagging neck injury has kept the Dodgers' starting catcher out since June 11, but the 31-year-old veteran appears to be making some progress towards a return. Smith is still a ways from his return to the major-league roster, though, and the Dodgers have no real reason to rush him back. He will need a minor-league rehab assignment before returning, and he probably won't be a realistic option to return to the Dodgers' starting lineup until sometime in September for the last month of the regular season. Smith, a former first-rounder in 2016 from the University of Louisville, has played in only 52 games in 2026 in his eighth year in the league, slashing .249/.338/.382 with six homers and 23 RBI after being named an All-Star in each of his previous three seasons. He's stashed in 68% of Yahoo leagues, but he may only have a few weeks to produce for fantasy managers before the year is up.
Source: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
Source: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
Dalton Rushing has UCL Tear, Unlikely to Catch Again This Year
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing (elbow) was diagnosed with a "slight" tear in the UCL of his right elbow, and manager Dave Roberts said on Wednesday morning that he'd guess there is a "very small" chance that Rushing catches again this year, according to Jack Harris of The California Post. However, the Dodgers are hoping he can remain a left-handed-hitting option down the stretch. The 25-year-old backstop was scratched from the starting lineup on Sunday against the Boston Red Sox and landed on the 10-day injured list on Monday. With Shohei Ohtani locked in as the Dodgers' regular designated hitter, it's unlikely that Rushing will make any starts as a hitter down the stretch or in the postseason, so he's an easy drop candidate in single-year fantasy leagues. The former second-rounder in 2022 from the University of Louisville has hit .253/.335/.475 this year with 12 homers, 36 RBI, and 37 runs scored across 217 at-bats. With Will Smith (neck) still out as well, the Dodgers are currently using Ben Rortvedt and the recently acquired Hunter Feduccia behind the plate.
Source: The California Post - Jack Harris
Source: The California Post - Jack Harris
Will Smith Needs 3-4 Weeks to Ramp Up
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (neck) was able to throw ahead of Saturday's game against the Boston Red Sox. That is an encouraging sign in what is still a long road to recovery for Smith. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Saturday that Smith will need at least 3-4 weeks to ramp back up, which includes a rehab assignment. He has been out since the middle of June due to neck inflammation. Given this current timetable, Smith should be able to get back in the mix by late August or early September. Fantasy managers with an IL spot available should continue to hold Smith. Dalton Rushing figures to continue doing a majority of the catching, with Eliezer Alfonzo getting mixed in as well.
Source: Katie Woo
Source: Katie Woo
Will Smith Pain-Free, Has Resumed Baseball Activities
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that catcher Will Smith (neck) is "pain-free" and has resumed baseball activities, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Smith is currently on the 60-day injured list and has not played since June 5 due to ongoing neck issues. However, it appears as though the 31-year-old is ramping up and could be close to going out on a minor league rehab assignment. Across 201 plate appearances before landing on the IL, Smith hit .249/.338/.382 with six home runs, 23 RBI, and 23 runs scored. While his numbers were below his usual standard, Smith may have been hampered by the neck troubles. The veteran catcher's underlying metrics remained strong, as he struck out in just 16.9% of his plate appearances while posting a 13.4% barrel rate. If Smith can make it back to full health, he profiles as a must-start fantasy catcher.
Source: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
Source: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
Dalton Rushing Is a Strong Two-Catcher Addition With an Everyday Role
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing snapped a nine-game hitless stretch Wednesday, July 22, with a 438-foot homer and a two-run double in a 9-5 win over Philadelphia. He finished 2-for-4 with three RBI, giving him a .247 average, 11 home runs, 33 RBI, and 32 runs across 194 at-bats. It was his fifth game this season with at least three RBI. The hot and cold stretches are real, but so is the opportunity. Will Smith (neck) is not expected back before mid-August, leaving Rushing in the starting role for the foreseeable future. Yahoo managers have rostered him in only 17% of leagues despite the power he brings at a thin position. RotoBaller lists Rushing in the 15-team range. He is not an automatic add in every one-catcher league, but the regular at-bats and 11-homer pop make him a strong pickup in deeper and two-catcher formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Will Smith Transferred to 60-Day Injured List on Tuesday
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (neck) was transferred to the 60-day injured list on Tuesday, per a team announcement. The veteran backstop has been sidelined by neck issues since early June and does not appear to be close to a return, so this is more of a procedural move. Still, Smith will now officially remain out through at least early August. Across 201 plate appearances in 2026 before getting injured, Smith hit .249/.338/.382 with six home runs, 23 RBI, and 23 runs scored. While the 31-year-old is still expected to return at some point this season, Los Angeles has little incentive to rush him back and risk losing him for the playoffs. Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing has been a fine stand-in for Smith, logging a .788 OPS across 218 plate appearances. At this point, fantasy managers who were hoping for Smith to be a key contributor in the second half of the season may need to explore alternative solutions.
Source: Los Angeles Dodgers
Source: Los Angeles Dodgers
Will Smith Shut Down Again With More Neck Issues
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith's neck continued to bother him as he tried to ramp up his baseball activities recently, so the Dodgers decided to shut him down again this week, manager Dave Roberts told The California Post's Jack Harris. The Dodgers remain hopeful that Smith can start to ramp up again after this and still expect him to return in 2026. It has quickly turned into a lost season for Smith, who initially was expected to avoid a trip to the injured list because of his neck injury. The 31-year-old veteran and three-time All-Star has been sidelined since June 5, and in a best-case scenario, he probably won't be back with the Dodgers until sometime in mid-August. Remember, the Dodgers have a big lead in the National League West going into the second half of the season this weekend and aren't in a hurry to rush any of their injured stars back. Smith's ongoing neck issues have created a prolonged audition period for backup Dalton Rushing. When healthy, Smith was underwhelming offensively in his 173 at-bats, hitting .249/.338/.382 with six homers, 23 RBI, and 23 runs scored in 52 games.
Source: The California Post - Jack Harris
Source: The California Post - Jack Harris
Dodgers Have "No Idea" When Will Smith Will be Back
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (neck) has been swinging a bat, but "his recovery is stagnant," according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. "Certainly expect him back this year," manager Dave Roberts said of Smith. "Just have no idea when." The Dodgers went from Smith not needing a stint on the injured list to him missing more than a month with a neck issue. Thankfully for the Dodgers, they can take their time with their starting backstop because of their healthy lead over both the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres in the National League West division, and it has also given them a chance to give Dalton Rushing extended playing time. Before his neck injury, the 31-year-old Smith was hitting a disappointing .249 (43-for-173) with six home runs, 23 RBI, and 23 runs scored across 52 games and 201 plate appearances. We'd say that he's a solid buy-low candidate for the second half, but that's a hard sell because of his uncertain timetable and the fact that the Dodgers are in no position to rush any of their injured stars back.
Source: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
Source: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
Dalton Rushing Worth Rostering for Catcher Power in Deep Leagues?
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing hit the All-Star break at .254/.337/.475 with 10 home runs, 30 runs, and 30 RBI in 181 at-bats. That is useful power at a thin position, especially with Rushing still available in 81% of Yahoo leagues. Will Smith (neck inflammation) is not expected back until late July or early August, leaving Rushing with more runway behind the plate. The home runs have support. Rushing owns an 11.6% barrel rate and 43.4% hard-hit rate, and his .255 expected average nearly matches the real number. He has also cut his strikeout rate from 37.4% last year to 25.9%. Smith will take back the primary job once healthy, so this is not a standard one-catcher add. RotoBaller ranks Rushing 91st for Week 16 and recommends him in 15-team leagues. That works. He also belongs in two-catcher formats, where 10-homer pop is hard to leave sitting around.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
