​Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith has missed more than a month of the season so far, with what was thought to be a minor neck issue turning into a lingering problem.Naturally, many Dodgers fans are worried about the World Series hero and are hoping for a quick return from injury, which has been diagnosed as disc inflammation.Jul 22, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (16) in the dugout during the game against the Minnesota Twins at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn ImagesFor some, though, that hope is turning to despair, with some online baselessly speculating that Smith is going to miss the rest of the season.Alternatively, others are posting old videos of Smith working out, implying that he’s progressing quickly in his recovery when he actually was doing those exercises during spring training in 2025.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSo what’s the truth?Smith is making some progress, with Jack Harris of the California Post noting that as of July 3, he had begun hitting in the batting cages adn throwing a bit as well.That said, those activities are a far cry from a return to action.Once Smith recovers enough to face live pitching and resume catching again, he’ll still have to go on a rehab assignment.Jun 3, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesThe longer this injury takes to heal, the longer the rehab assignment.That’s why earlier this week, manager Dave Roberts provided a measured update on his star catcher’s return.“I still don’t see him doing anything that’s considerable in the sense of, you know, return to play,” Roberts said.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“Hesitant to put any type of timeline on it, but certainly expect him back this year. Just have no idea when.”Shortly after he began missing time, Smith revealed that the neck pain started small before worsening.“It’s been a long few days,” Smith said during the early days of the injury.“It happened in Arizona, played on it a couple days, played on it at home (last Friday), and then just that third or fourth day, I kind of felt it was just getting a lot worse. Couldn’t play that day.“It’s one of those things we thought was going to get a little better in a couple days. It’s just taking a little bit longer.”Exactly how much longer that will be remains to be seen.