Smith's return from stiff neck on pause; progress for Díaz, Teoscar
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LOS ANGELES -- Manager Dave Roberts provided updates on several players working their way back from the injured list Friday ahead of the Dodgers' series opener against the Baltimore Orioles.
Will Smith’s return placed on pause
The Dodgers will wait a little longer to activate All-Star catcher Will Smith. Though there was initial optimism that Smith could be activated from the 10-day injured list this weekend, a recent scan prompted the training staff to exercise caution regarding his ongoing neck stiffness.
Smith is scheduled to receive an injection to minimize the discomfort, a development that sidelines him for the series against Baltimore. Whether Smith will travel with the team to Minneapolis to begin its upcoming road trip remains to be seen, as Roberts noted the club will evaluate his status over the weekend.
"It's going to take more time," Roberts said. "Had a scan recently and, you know, the results were sort of fine. Nothing really bad, but I think he's going to give some type of shot to kind of minimize the sensation or whatever. But he feels OK, not great.
“And I think for us, we're just trying to make sure that we don't have a setback when he comes back. So I think that's kind of the pause. So he won't be active this weekend."
Smith has been sidelined since June 11 (retroactive to June 8). Roberts emphasized that the injection should only require a single day of shutdown before Smith can resume baseball activities and begin ramping back up.
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Edwin Díaz progresses to bullpen sessions
Right-hander Edwin Díaz, working his way back from loose bodies in his right elbow that have kept him out since April 20, threw a 15-pitch bullpen session on Friday.
Díaz threw entirely fastballs during the session, with his velocity sitting between 91-93 mph. It marks a positive step for the reliever, who was transferred to the 60-day injured list on May 10 and is targeting a potential return in July post All-Star break.
"[Pitching coach] Mark [Prior] was encouraged,” said Roberts. “And so just all fastballs, but really, really positive day for Ed."
Because Díaz operates in a short, high-leverage relief role, his build-up progression is shorter than that of a starting pitcher. Roberts mapped out a schedule that includes additional bullpen sessions, facing live hitters and a brief three-to-five-game Minor League rehab assignment before he can rejoin the Los Angeles bullpen.
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Teoscar Hernández nearing rehab assignment
Outfielder Teoscar Hernández took a step forward in his recovery from a left hamstring strain, completing a simulated game on Thursday.
Hernández emerged from the workout without issue, clearing the way for a Minor League rehab assignment early next week. Roberts indicated that the club will likely send him to Triple-A to face higher-caliber pitching, mapping out a multi-game stint to get his timing back.
"Teo went well," Roberts said. "Went well. Got out of it well, feels good. And from what I understand, he's going to go out on an assignment early next week. ... I don't see it under four or five games, to be honest with you, because the first game is probably going to be two innings or two at-bats and then another two or three."
Hernández, who has been on the injured list since May 29, provides a significant power presence for the Dodgers. Prior to the injury, he served as a mainstay in the middle of the batting order.