Dodgers’ phony injury updates get even more frustrating with Will Smith development

Another day, another Los Angeles Dodgers injury update that makes next to no sense. Catcher Will Smith has been out of the lineup the last three days with a mysterious neck injury and he's scheduled to receive imaging later this week.

At his best, Smith is one of the top catchers in the National League. He's a three-time All-Star and has won just as many World Series. Combine those accolades with a career .826 OPS and 126 OPS+, and Smith is one of the best all-around catchers of his era.

This season hasn't been more of the same, though, with Smith struggling at the plate to the tune of a .720 OPS and 103 OPS+. Injuries have played a role, especially lately, and a stint on the IL isn't out of the equation for Smith depending on the results of his imaging.

Will Smith injury update gives Dodgers fans the bare minimum

If you're wondering why we don't have more information about Smith, it's because the Dodgers haven't provided it. Dave Roberts is willing to discuss just about anything with the media, but even his comments on Smith's injury were a bit vague.

“He hit a little bit today, played catch today. Went OK. He just still doesn’t feel right,” Roberts said on Tuesday. “I’m not sure what the thought is or where we’re at on the imaging piece of it. So it’s still a day-to-day situation. Just kind of talking to him today, talking to trainers, I would like him to go through a full day before he plays. So that will probably take [Wednesday] off the table and then we’ll kind of go from there.”

The Dodgers are taking Smith's injury one day at a time, and in doing so aren't giving much clarity. An IL stint sounds likely at this juncture especially if, as Roberts hints at here, the Dodgers can backdate it to when Smith's injury actually occurred.

“Yeah, I think that now the IL is more of a possibility. You’re talking about a position player, so it’s 10 days, and then the backdate. We’re starting to talk about that,” Roberts said.

For as great as Smith is, he's been outperformed so far this season in grand fashion by his backup, former Dodgers top prospect Dalton Rushing. While Rushing has a habit of creating unnecessary drama, he also has a .917 OPS in 38 games. And while said drama can put other players in danger, the Dodgers can overcome it just fine. Look no further than Tuesday night's game in Pittsburgh, when Rushing went way out of the baseline to break up a double play.

Is that a great look? Nope! Did they Dodgers still win by nine runs? You bet they did.

Rushing is more than capable of holding down the fort during a short IL stint. So yes, while it's frustrating to see another Dodgers star go down with an injury even the training staff doesn't fully understand yet (or just won't communicate), it's not going to impact the on-field product all that much.

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