​The Los Angeles Dodgers have once again faced a significant injury disruption to their catching corps, with Will Smith sidelined for a substantial period. In 2025, the situation proved dire as Smith was the first to go down, followed by Dalton Rushing, who had recently been promoted from the minors. The club leaned on veteran Ben Rortvedt, who became a talking point for his biceps as much as for his defense, and managed to hold steady enough to reach the postseason, when Smith finally returned to action. This year, Los Angeles would likely be comfortable if a similar sequence of events unfolded again, but Smith’s neck issue has deteriorated to the point where substantial recovery remains uncertain.
On June 16 in Los Angeles, Smith was seen during batting practice at Dodger Stadium, preparing for a game against the Tampa Bay Rays. He had received an injection in an attempt to ease the pain and allow him to ramp up his activity, yet more than a month into his injured list stint, he has not been able to resume a full baseball workload. In the interim, Dalton Rushing has continued to perform at a level that suggests he could function as a starting catcher, even as he navigates the growing pains typical of a player in his first full season in the majors.
The Dodgers have also utilized Chuckie Robinson as a backup catcher, emphasizing defense, but Robinson eventually was designated for assignment. The club has begun giving Eliezer (Eliezar) Alfonzo long looks, a veteran of several minor league seasons, to see if he can contribute behind the plate. With the Dodgers carrying only one catcher with substantial Major League experience, questions naturally arise about whether a veteran backstop might be pursued at the trade deadline should Smith’s slow progress persist.
Two years after the initial injury, the team’s approach remains cautious. The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya framed the Dodgers’ strategy as one rooted in development rather than external acquisition. He suggested that the Dodgers are unlikely to chase a veteran catcher at the major-league level. Instead, they may focus on strengthening their catching pipeline from within, improving depth behind Smith as the timeline to his return remains fluid. Ardaya noted that management views this period as a broader development window for Dalton Rushing, with the organization trying to maximize his growth rather than plug a veteran immediately.
The Dodgers’ decision to keep bolstering their prospect depth is underscored by their approach to the injury scenario. If Smith’s recovery stalls, the team wants to have a clearer path to a reliable catcher of the future. They have already brought Alfonzo up from the minors to evaluate what he can contribute, and they recognize the challenge of integrating a catcher midseason, a process that has not always been seamless for players changing leagues and rosters on the fly. The lessons from Ben Rortvedt’s experience in the postseason—owning the role as a backup catcher while acclimating to different relievers—also weigh into their planning, underscoring the importance of a catcher who can handle the Dodgers’ pitching staff under pressure.
Looking ahead, the Dodgers appear prepared to lean on Dalton Rushing if Smith’s absence continues to extend. Rushing is already showing growth at the plate and in his understanding of the defensive demands of the role. If he continues to develop, the club could end up with a more polished backup catcher who will have time to grasp what it takes to function as a starter should the need arise. The current strategy emphasizes patience and internal development, valuing a deeper, more capable catching pipeline over a late-season luxury pickup. The organization hopes that by giving Rushing more leash and experience, he will mature into a reliable long-term solution behind the plate, compatible with the Dodgers’ pitching staff and competitive ambitions.