The Los Angeles Dodgers have been without Dalton Rushing since June 5 with a neck injury, and he just suffered a setback in his rehab.
Will Smith was shut down from baseball activities this week because his neck wasn't recovering well. The hope is he can start ramping up soon. The expectation remains that he will be back at some point this season, but that probably wouldn't be until August at the earliest.
— Sonja Chen (@SonjaMChen) July 17, 2026
Not having Smith is a huge blow for the Dodgers, and they may need to prepare for the worst. They may expect Smith to be back in August, but what happens if he suffers another setback? They have Dalton Rushing, but they could really use another catcher.
Given the timeline of Smith's injury, they may not want to pull the trigger on a high-profile trade, like adding Ryan Jeffers or Hunter Goodman. However, they should consider making an addition just in case Smith is unable to return. Eliezer Alfonzo is currently the backup catcher, but he has not proven he can hit in the big leagues yet.
It may be wise for the Dodgers to look on waivers or trade for a catcher in the minor leagues who has big league experience. Rushing can handle everyday catching duties, but right now, if he were to get hurt, the Dodgers would be in a rough spot until Smith is back.
Last season, Ben Rortvedt ended up playing an important role for the Dodgers. He is currently in the minor leagues for the New York Mets. Bringing him back could be something the Dodgers consider.