The Los Angeles Dodgers have once again punched their ticket to the postseason, clinching a spot on September 19, 2025, and now standing on the brink of a remarkable 12th division title in 13 years. But as October looms, all eyes in Dodger Nation have shifted to the health of their All-Star catcher, Will Smith, whose presence—or absence—could define LA’s playoff fate.
Smith, 30, has been a cornerstone for the Dodgers both at the plate and behind it. His 2025 campaign has been nothing short of stellar: a .296 batting average, a .404 on-base percentage, and a .901 OPS, accompanied by 17 home runs and 61 RBIs across 110 games. It’s the kind of production that makes a manager sleep soundly at night—until, of course, disaster strikes.
Disaster, in this case, came in the form of a foul tip off Smith’s right hand during a September 3 contest against the Pittsburgh Pirates. At first, the hope was that it was just a bone bruise. Smith himself underwent a gauntlet of medical imaging—X-rays, a CT scan, and two MRIs—before the true nature of the injury was revealed: a hairline fracture at the base of his third metacarpal. "I could tell it was a little more than bruising. They were assuring me it was (only a bone bruise)," Smith admitted. "Then it turns out I wasn’t going crazy and it was more. I can trust my body a little bit which I guess is good. But it is a fracture and that takes time."
Despite the setback, Smith tried to soldier on, returning to action six days later—only to aggravate the injury further against the Colorado Rockies. That led to his placement on the injured list on September 13, effectively ending his regular season. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has since confirmed, “Optimistic that he’s going to come back at some point, doubtful it’s the regular season. Having him available for the postseason, we’re still hopeful.”
Hope springs eternal, but the clock is ticking. Smith has yet to resume full baseball activities. As of September 23, he was still wearing a splint and had not attempted to throw or swing a bat. His rehab routine has been limited to running, rotational exercises to mimic swings, catching bullpens (without throwing the ball back), and tracking pitches. "I’m hoping for it," Smith said of a postseason return. "I’m doing everything I can to be ready." He acknowledged that his timeline is a "pain-tolerance kind of thing," and that at some point he’ll "definitely get some live ABs, not in games. But it’s crunch time. Gotta go. Whenever I’m ready I’ll be back in there."
With the Dodgers set to open the playoffs in a wild card series next Tuesday, the prospect of Smith being ready appears dim. If he can’t make the roster for the best-of-three wild card series, LA could still add him for later rounds—but if he’s activated and then removed due to injury, he’d be ineligible for the next round. It’s a high-stakes gamble for a team with championship aspirations.
In Smith’s absence, the Dodgers have had to improvise behind the plate. Rookie Dalton Rushing was the initial replacement but soon landed on the injured list himself after a shin injury. That opened the door for Ben Rortvedt and Chuckie Robinson, both called up from Triple-A. Rushing returned to the lineup on September 16 and has been splitting time with Rortvedt, but it’s the latter who has truly seized the opportunity.
Rortvedt, a trade deadline acquisition, has been a revelation. In 15 appearances for the Dodgers, he’s batting .275 with a .741 OPS and even launched his first home run of the year on September 23. "I’m trying to win each day. I’m trying to be as selfless as I can," Rortvedt told reporters. "I just get on the same page and same track with [the pitchers], and so far, it’s gone well." The numbers back it up: Rortvedt has started 14 games since Smith’s injury, guiding a pitching rotation that boasts a 1.43 ERA and an MLB-best 11.9 strikeouts per nine innings over the last 17 games. Notably, he caught Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s near no-hitter just days after joining the team. "It’s been a rollercoaster of events," Rortvedt said, reflecting on his whirlwind Dodger debut. "The trade deadline offered me a good reset and another chance to contribute."
Dalton Rushing, meanwhile, has shown flashes of promise since returning, overcoming his own injury woes. While the catching corps isn’t exactly what LA envisioned heading into the postseason, the emergence of Rortvedt and the resilience of Rushing have given the Dodgers a fighting chance to weather the storm until Smith’s return.
The Dodgers’ roster shuffle comes at a time when the bullpen has also been under the microscope, with several late-game collapses in September causing anxiety among fans. But the team’s ability to produce runs and win games despite these setbacks—plus the absence of their star catcher—speaks to the depth and resolve of this perennial powerhouse.
As the postseason approaches, the Dodgers’ focus is clear: survive the stretch run and hope for a timely boost from Smith. "We want to win a World Series," Rortvedt said. "But I’ve never done well with thinking too far-fetched. I just try to win the day, win each pitch, each moment. I think it’s better that way."
Manager Dave Roberts faces tough decisions as he juggles the health of his catchers, the readiness of his bullpen, and the high expectations of a fanbase hungry for another title. The possibility of having Smith, Rortvedt, and Rushing all available for the wild card series could offer flexibility, but it also presents a risk if Smith’s hand doesn’t cooperate. The Dodgers’ medical staff and front office will be watching closely as Smith continues his rehab, hoping for a late surge in his recovery.
Meanwhile, Shohei Ohtani has wrapped up his regular season pitching duties and is expected to be in line to start a playoff game, while right-handers Brock Stewart and Roki Sasaki are nearing activation from injuries of their own. The Dodgers’ depth will be tested like never before as they head into October with more questions than answers.
With just days remaining before the postseason, the Dodgers remain optimistic but realistic. The absence of Will Smith is a blow, but the emergence of Ben Rortvedt and the determination of Dalton Rushing have kept LA’s championship dreams alive. All eyes now turn to Smith’s recovery—and whether the Dodgers can weather this storm long enough for their All-Star backstop to make his triumphant return.
