With Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith on the injured list (IL) due to a neck injury, fans have been wondering about the severity of the issue and how much time the star will miss for the team. As the Dodgers make the move for Smith to be on the IL, Smith would speak on Thursday on the decision and how he’s handling the injury.
According to Jack Harris of The California Post, Smith would say that he sustained a “inflamed disc in his neck,” and it has been described as “minor.” Smith would also express how he is “hopeful” to be back once he’s eligible on June 19 against the Baltimore Orioles.
“Will Smith said he had an inflamed disc in his neck, but described it as minor,” Harris wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “He’ll keep hitting/throwing in the coming days, and is hopeful to be back as soon as he’s eligible.”
More on Dodgers’ Will Smith and his neck injury
Thursday also saw Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announce that the team will place Smith on the IL, as before being injured, he had recorded a .249 batting average to go along with six home runs and 23 RBIs. The coinciding move for Los Angeles, putting Smith on the IL, is calling up Chuck Robinson.
“Dave Roberts confirmed that Will Smith will go on the injured list tomorrow (he can be backdated to Monday, meaning he’ll be eligible to return for the Orioles series on June 19),” Harris wrote on X. “Chuckie Robinson will be called up.”
The 31-year-old has missed the last four games ahead of Thursday’s contest against the Pittsburgh Pirates, and if he were to return on June 19, he would be absent for 11 outings.
“It came out of nowhere,” Roberts said Sunday, via MLB.com. “I had him in there today and then talked to [trainer] Thomas Albert, and he said that Will’s kind of grinding through a neck situation. … I think a bad night’s sleep or a bad pillow. Not sure.”
It remains to be seen when Smith returns, as Dalton Rushing is getting an uptick in catching duties currently.
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