The Dodgers are expected to be without catcher Will Smith for at least another month, extending an absence that has already reshaped the club’s workload behind the plate. With Smith sidelined, Dalton Rushing has taken on a larger share of the catching duties and is now on the verge of moving into the team lead in innings caught this season.
According to the latest figures, Rushing has started 45 games and logged 389 1/3 innings at catcher. Smith, who started 44 games, is set to be passed by Rushing as soon as his next start behind the plate, either Saturday or Sunday. That shift highlights just how much the Dodgers’ catching picture has changed while Smith remains out.
Smith had been a major part of Los Angeles’ lineup before the extended layoff, so the timeline is a notable one for the team. An absence of at least another month means the Dodgers will continue leaning on Rushing’s durability and consistency as the season moves forward.
For now, the immediate story is Rushing’s growing role and Smith’s continued recovery timeline. As Rushing adds to his innings total, the Dodgers will keep navigating a catching situation that looks very different from where it stood earlier in the season.
