Dodgers catcher Smith sidelined before game due to neck discomfort, expected to play tomorrow

The Los Angeles Dodgers were forced to reshuffle their roster just before the game, scratching catcher Will Smith from the starting lineup because of a stiff neck while facing the Los Angeles Angels.

Smith was originally penciled in as the sixth batter and the catcher for starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto. This last-minute change required the team to rearrange behind the plate, pushing rookie Dalton Rushing into the starting catcher role just hours before the first pitch.

According to manager Dave Roberts, the neck issue came on suddenly, and the team does not view it as a long-term concern at this point.

"It came out of nowhere," Roberts said before the game. "I had him in the lineup, then I talked to trainer Thomas Albert, and he said Will was dealing with neck issues… maybe he slept wrong or the pillow wasn't right. Not sure."

The decision to rest Smith also aligns with the team's existing plan to manage catcher workload this weekend. Roberts noted that the team had already intended to give Smith a day off in the near future.

"We probably could have pushed him out there, but he was only going to catch two out of three anyway," Roberts said. "So it's nice to tap Dalton Rushing on the shoulder and let him play."

Even as Smith was scratched from the lineup, the Dodgers continue to monitor his recent hitting performance. Although the numbers show a slump, Roberts expressed confidence that advanced metrics indicate his approach at the plate is trending in the right direction.

"I think the quality of his at-bats is there," Roberts said. "The things we look at, the deeper numbers… I see more aggression in his swings and better pitch recognition. So I'm really not worried about Will. Not at all."

Roberts said the team expects Smith to return to the starting lineup for the series finale against the Angels at Dodger Stadium tomorrow.

Meanwhile, this unexpected defensive shuffle shifts the spotlight to Rushing's continued development at the major league level. Being thrust into action on short notice to catch a top-tier starter like Yamamoto marks another milestone for the rookie catcher, whose preparation has drawn praise from the coaching staff.

"Compared to his earlier opportunities, it's a huge difference," Roberts said, comparing Rushing's current comfort level. "Rushing attends the pitchers' meetings. He has a great relationship with Will, and I love that. We've done a good job sharing the catching workload among pitchers. So now, when he has to catch Yamamoto, everything goes much smoother. I think the game has really slowed down for Rushing."