Smith Expected to Return to Lineup on Sunday

During his pregame Zoom media scrum on Friday afternoon, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was asked if he had an update Dodgers catcher Will Smith, who was placed on the injured list on August 15 (retroactive to August 13) with neck inflammation.

“Will took four at-bats today at the secondary site and felt good, had a couple hits, running down the line, felt good afterward, he caught, and so today his day’s over, a very positive day,” Roberts answered. “I think he’s going to do more of the same tomorrow [Saturday], and if all goes well, I expect him in the lineup on Sunday.”

As most Dodger fans know, the 25-year-old Louisville, KY native and Dodgers first-round draft pick in 2016 out of the University of Louisville has struggled offensively in the 14 games in which he has appeared thus far in the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season. In his 41 plate appearances (32 at-bats), Smith has only six hits for a less-than-stellar .188 batting average.

That’s the bad news.

The good news is that two of those hits have been home runs and another a double, so there’s that.

Smith’s solo home run on July 25 gained national attention when the ball struck a cardboard cutout of Dodger fan Austin Donley nearly decapitating him. The subsequent social media exchange went viral, with Smith apologizing to Donley and sending him some autographed schwag.
(Video capture courtesy of Fox Sports)
Smith’s home run ball nearly knocked the head off of Donley’s cardboard cutout.
(Video capture courtesy of Fox Sports)
Donley with his autographed Will Smith bat bearing the inscription “Sorry I hit you in the face. Go Dodgers!” (Photo courtesy of Austin Donley)

Play Ball!

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One Response to “Smith Expected to Return to Lineup on Sunday”

  1. SoCalBum says:

    Great news about Smith; I really like how this young man plays the game. I was also impressed with Ruiz behind he plate and at-bat. Dodgers catching is in good hands.

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