Smith takes live BP as he progresses toward return

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers are getting closer to having their three-time All-Star catcher back behind the dish.

Will Smith took live batting practice for the first time since going on the injured list ahead of Friday night's game against the Pirates, facing 2025 Draftee Sam Horn across two simulated innings. Smith has been sidelined for months with an inflamed disc in his neck, last appearing in a game for the Dodgers on June 5.

With Smith progressing to facing pitching, his path back to the Dodgers has become much clearer. Manager Dave Roberts said that after Smith participates in some additional live sessions and catches some bullpen sessions, he could begin a rehab assignment that could last four or five days. The hope is that he could be activated during the first week of September.

"It’s crucial," Roberts said. "The experience, the calmness in the box, the managing of the pitching staff -- all that stuff is crucial."

When Smith's neck first flared up in June, he was expected to return to the starting lineup the next day. Instead, he wound up on the IL. It took him weeks to ramp up baseball activities without regressing physically, but after being shut down for a longer period of time around the All-Star break, he seemed to turn a corner. Since then, his progression has been slow but steady.

Once Smith returns to the Dodgers, he won't play every day at first. But the expectation is that a month will be enough time for him to return to form by the time the postseason comes around.

"I believe when he says it. He’s very in tune with his body," Roberts said. "But at the end of the day, there’s not much of a calendar left. He’s going to play in the postseason. So I think it’s also helpful knowing that there’s no other alternative. He’s going to prepare his mind and body to get ready to go."

Dalton Rushing, who took over starting catching duties before being sidelined with a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow in early August, is also making steady progress. He is getting close to facing live pitching, but the bigger question is whether he will catch again this season. He could potentially begin a throwing progression soon, which would give the Dodgers a better idea of whether he will be an option behind the plate.

"I still think it’s unlikely," Roberts said, "but we’re still going through the process. And I hope I’m wrong. But he’s determined to go through the progression and build up to get back, and we’ll see where we’re at."

Before Smith's last game on June 5, the Dodgers' 3.03 team ERA was the best in the Majors. Since then, their ERA has ballooned to 4.30, which ranks 20th in the Majors.

With Rushing subbing in as the primary catcher, the Dodgers used Chuckie Robinson and Eliezer Alfonzo as backups. Hunter Feduccia and Ben Rortvedt, who were both reacquired at the Trade Deadline, are the current catching tandem. The pitching staff's performance may not be entirely contingent on who's behind the plate, but the Dodgers have certainly missed Smith's presence during his long absence.

"We’ve had four different catchers trying to assimilate and learn the pitchers," Roberts said. "So to get that stability back is huge for everyone. Not surprising, but all four of those guys have been doing the best they could. But to have that consistency with Will is something special."