PHILADELPHIA — Will Smith is getting closer to full strength and should be ready to catch games during the Dodgers’ National League Division Series beginning Saturday.
Smith was on the active roster for the Wild Card Series but was primarily on the roster to be used as a pinch-hitter. He did not appear in either of the games against the Cincinnati Reds and still has not played since Sept. 9 while a hairline fracture in his right hand has been healing.
Manager Dave Roberts indicated the Dodgers plan to carry three catchers again this series – Smith, Ben Rortvedt (who started both games of the WCS) and Dalton Rushing.
Smith took live at-bats during the Dodgers’ workout at Citizens Bank Park on Friday. Barring a setback, he could be in the starting lineup for Game 1 on Saturday.
“He’s getting better each day,” Roberts said of Smith. “As far as availability, not sure yet. But he will be available to catch. Just trying to be mindful that he hasn’t caught in a long time and then kind of looking at the series and the capacity he can take on. So those are things that are kind of going through our heads right now.”
There is an extra day off between Games 1 and 2 of this series, giving the Dodgers the opportunity to postpone asking Smith to catch on back-to-back days until Games 3 and 4 in Los Angeles next Wednesday and Thursday.
PITCHING PLAN
The Dodgers have lined up Shohei Ohtani to start Game 1 against the Phillies on Saturday and Blake Snell in Game 2 on Monday. When they return to Los Angeles, Yoshinobu Yamamoto will start Game 3. If there is Game 4, Tyler Glasnow would potentially be the starter.
Roberts said Glasnow will be available out of the bullpen on Saturday. But the other three starters will “probably not” be used on short rest or out of the bullpen, Roberts said.
Clayton Kershaw will be on the roster for the NLDS after being left off for the WCS, Roberts confirmed. Kershaw will pitch out of the bullpen, as expected.
A three-time Cy Young Award winner, the 37-year-old left-hander is set to retire at the end of the postseason.
PHILLY FOOD
During his session with the media before Friday’s workout, Ohtani was asked by a local reporter what he thought of the Philadelphia fans.
“They’re known to be very passionate fans.” Ohtani said through his interpreter. “The atmosphere, I’m sure, is going to be passionate and rocking, as well.
“And one thing I do know is that they serve really good Philly cheesesteaks at the clubhouse.”
Players and team staff from around the league agree. The staff in the visitors’ clubhouse have a reputation for their cheesesteaks – so much so that there are records informally kept for how many individuals have eaten.
During the 2022 season, Colorado Rockies physical performance coach Mike Jasperson ate 25 during a four-game series at Citizens Bank Park, 21½ in the first three days. Jasperson said he gained 9 pounds during the series.
Former Washington Nationals infielder Adrian Sanchez holds the one-day player record after eating 10½ while on the Nationals’ taxi squad for a series in 2021. The New York Mets set the one-day team record, wolfing down 103 one day in 2014 while waiting for a game that was postponed.
UP NEXT
Game 1: Dodgers (RHP Shohei Ohtani, 1-1, 2.87 ERA) at Phillies (LHP Cristopher Sanchez, 13-5, 2.50 ERA), Saturday, 3:08 p.m. PT, TBS, HBO Max, 570 AM