Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star catcher Will Smith has been out since early June, but started a rehab assignment on Tuesday.
After missing so much time, Smith will likely need a longer rehab assignment. He played his first game for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday and looked good at the plate and played solid defense as well.
He went 1-for-3 with his lone hit being a two-run home run. His first at-bat ended in a lineout to center field. The ball left his bat at 103.7 mph with a 22-degree launch angle. His second at-bat was an eight pitch at-bat that ended in a flyout to right field.
The home run he connected on in the fifth inning went 331 feet and had an exit velocity of 91.6 mph.
Will Smith meets the Miller Lite Landing! pic.twitter.com/CV0NgB6dp6
— Oklahoma City Comets (@OKC_comets) August 26, 2026
In the top of the third inning, Smith threw out Samad Taylor trying to steal second base.
Oh hi there, Will 🎯 pic.twitter.com/ph6MqL7dnr
— Oklahoma City Comets (@OKC_comets) August 26, 2026
Smith still has some boxes to check before he can come back. However, the Dodgers need him back quickly. With Dalton Rushing also out, Ben Rortvedt and Hunter Feduccia have handled the catching work for the Dodgers. However, neither is as capable offensively as Rushing or Smith.
Smith was having a down year by his standards at the plate. He had a .720 OPS through 52 games, but getting him back now will be a huge boost. He has been a part of three World Series teams for the Dodgers and is one of the best offensive catchers in the game.