Injury Notes: Updates on Will Smith, Tommy Edman & Kiké Hernández
Latest Injury Notes before Game Two of the Wild Card
LOS ANGELES, CA—It wouldn't be a Los Angeles Dodgers season without their fair share of injuries, and that was especially true this season.
Despite the Dodgers blowing out the Cincinnati Reds in Game One of the National League Wild Card Series, the Dodgers had several issues with players who left the game early, along with updates on Dodgers’ All-Star catcher Will Smith.
Will Smith Could Suit Up Behind the Plate Tonight
It has been quite some time since we’ve last seen Will Smith in the Dodgers lineup as the right-handed hitter has been nursing a microfracture in his right hand.
During the Dodgers' final East Coast road trip, Smith took a foul ball off the right hand while behind the plate, and though he was able to finish the inning defensively, he was later pinch-hit for before his next at-bat.
Initially, the Dodgers were able to avoid an IL stint, but after Smith appeared in a game a few days later, he was forced to sit out the following day due to discomfort and swelling in his right hand.
Smith would eventually end up on the injured list after not having enough improvement, and a second wave of scans showed that what was thought to be just a deep bone bruise was actually a hand fracture.
Over the last several weeks, Smith has remained active, catching a bullpen session (with a designated throwing partner), working out, and just before the start of the Wild Card Series began to swing a bat for the first time since being placed on the IL.
Well, that improvement continued into the postseason as Smith was added to the roster officially yesterday, with the team carrying three catchers: Will Smith, Ben Rortvedt, and Dalton Rushing.
While Roberts stated that Smith is available on the bench for pinch-hitting opportunities, he did not rule out his being behind the plate for Game Two or Three if his hand continues to heal.
Smith did not get an at-bat in Game One, but should an opportunity arise, expect to see Smith in some capacity, or if the team advances, expect to see him return behind the plate for Game One of the NLDS on Saturday.
Kiké Hernández Will Play Tonight
Lost in the chaos that was yesterday’s 10-5 win over the Reds was the removal of fan-favorite and October hero Kiké Hernández, who left yesterday’s game due to back tightness, per the ESPN broadcast.
The Dodgers were able to close out the win without their veteran utilityman, with his replacement, Alex Call, even collecting a hit of his own; however, all fans wondered if the injury was more serious than the broadcast let on.
After the game, Dave Roberts stated that it was a precautionary removal and that Kiké would return to the starting lineup tomorrow.
“Kike has some back tightness,” Roberts said. “We were just taking care of him in this game to get him ready for tomorrow and beyond. He’s playing tomorrow.”
Despite posting poor numbers during the regular season, there is something about October that truly activates Hernández. Before his removal, the starting left fielder collected two hits, continuing his October legacy.
In his career, Kiké Hernández is slahling .283/.356/.524 wth a .880 OPS in the postseason, and if the Dodgers want to repeat as World Series champions, they’ll need him in the lineup.
The Dodgers Will have to Monitor Edman’s Ankle
Ending the injury notes is utility man Tommy Edman, who was lifted off his feet due to his ankle still being an issue, and it’ll be something the team will have to monitor moving forward, the rest of October.
Despite being replaced by Miguel Rojas in the middle of the game, Edman made his mark, hitting one of the Dodgers' five home runs yesterday, pushing the lead to five runs off Red ace Hunter Greene.
Edman’s ankle has been an issue since the team acquired him at the trade deadline last season, and it was an issue on two occasions this season: once at the beginning of May and most recently in August.
During the Dodgers' final road trip in Arizona, Edman’s ankle flared up again while playing on the artificial turf at Chase Stadium, an issue that will likely force Edman to play second base for the remainder of the season.
“It was just the ankle,” he said of lifting him. “It’s something that’s going to be ongoing. Whenever we can get him off it to get him ready for the next day, that’s what we’re going to do. At this point, he’s limited to the infield.”