Dodgers Place All-Star Catcher Will Smith on 10-Day IL, Recall Chuckie Robinson
The Dodgers placed All-Star catcher Will Smith on the 10-day injured list with a neck injury and recalled Chuckie Robinson to back up Dalton Rushing.
PITTSBURGH, PA —Despite initial optimism that the absence would be brief, the Los Angeles Dodgers have officially placed All-Star catcher Will Smith on the 10-day injured list due to a lingering stiff neck.
Smith, 31, has been absent from the Dodgers’ lineup since the conclusion of Friday’s game against the Los Angeles Angels at Dodger Stadium.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Smith was a late scratch on Saturday and was not expected to miss more than the weekend; however, that is no longer the case.
Following Wednesday’s 9–8 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates, Roberts clarified the team’s plans, stating that Smith will be placed on the injured list. In his absence, minor league catcher Chuckie Robinson is en route to Pittsburgh to back up Dalton Rushing.
Robinson must be added to the team’s 40-man roster, which explains the team’s decision yesterday to release utilityman Tyler Fitzgerald, clearing a spot on the roster—a move Roberts hinted would be made today.
This will mark Robinson’s second big-league stint. He re-signed with the Dodgers this winter on a minor league deal after being released last season. The journeyman catcher is batting .260/.321/.442 with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
While his bat has yet to translate to the majors, Robinson is expected to receive limited playing time behind Rushing.
Smith’s injury was backdated to June 8th, meaning the earliest he can be activated is June 19th, ahead of the Dodgers’ series against the Baltimore Orioles.