Dodgers Activate Will Smith, Dalton Rushing and Justin Wrobleski from IL
- The Los Angeles Dodgers activated catchers Will Smith and Dalton Rushing alongside left-handed pitcher Justin Wrobleski from the injured list.
- Will Smith last played for the Dodgers on June 5 before spending nearly three months on the injured list due to a neck injury.
- Dalton Rushing returns to the active roster one month after going on the injured list with a slightly torn UCL.
The Los Angeles Dodgers activated catchers Will Smith and Dalton Rushing alongside left-handed pitcher Justin Wrobleski from the injured list. The flurry of roster moves shifts the team’s catching corps ahead of the postseason push and comes alongside the departure of recently reacquired catcher Ben Rortvedt.
Will Smith Returns After Extended Neck Injury Absence
Will Smith last played for the Dodgers on June 5 before spending nearly three months on the injured list due to a neck injury. Smith was initially scratched from the lineup on June 6 with neck inflammation, and while the team expected him to miss just one game, his recovery involved multiple setbacks. Smith will return to his starting catching spot. Before the injury, Smith played 52 games, hitting .249 with six home runs, 23 RBIs, and an OPS of .720.
https://x.com/LosDodgers/status/2094869288251519119
Dalton Rushing and Justin Wrobleski Rejoin the Roster
Dalton Rushing returns to the active roster one month after going on the injured list with a slightly torn UCL. Rushing is likely returning primarily for his bat rather than to play defense, as he has also seen time as a designated hitter this season. Manager Dave Roberts stated he does not know if Rushing will be able to catch again during the current season. Meanwhile, left-handed pitcher Justin Wrobleski returns after missing two weeks on the injured list with a forearm injury and is expected to move to the bullpen as a multi-inning option.
Roster Adjustments Involving Ben Rortvedt and Alek Thomas
To accommodate the returning players on the 40-man and active rosters, the Dodgers designated catcher Ben Rortvedt for assignment. Rortvedt split catching duties alongside Hunter Feduccia while Smith and Rushing were sidelined, but Feduccia was retained because he has options and has performed better offensively. Additionally, outfielder Alek Thomas was optioned, while infielder Alex Freeland was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City to provide rest days for aging infielders and positional flexibility.
