LOS ANGELES — Like a dieter minding their calories, the Dodgers have to curb their appetite.
“It always feels good to write his name in the lineup,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of catcher Will Smith.
On his way to a third consecutive All-Star selection, Smith is batting .325 with a National League-high .424 on-base percentage to go with a .949 OPS. No one in baseball has been better with runners in scoring position than Smith who is 26 for 60 (.433) with 36 RBIs in those situations.
But at least twice a week, Roberts has to deny the urge to put Smith in the lineup. It’s a commitment the Dodgers made when they promoted top prospect Dalton Rushing from the minors, giving them a potentially better offensive option as Smith’s backup than veteran Austin Barnes.
Rushing has struggled to bring his offense to the big-league level, batting .209 going into Saturday’s game. But the idea is to give Smith more consistent down time in hopes of avoiding the kind of second-half dropoff that has characterized his recent seasons. Roberts thinks it is working so far and is optimistic about the long-term benefits.
“I’m pretty confident, and I just got to make sure I remain steadfast in kind of using Dalton and giving Will days,” he said. “There’s been some injuries that he’s dealt with, but I do think that if we can kind of keep his legs in line, sharp and fresh, I think this – the performance is sustainable.”
The mental and physical demands of the position have “absolutely” increased in recent years – “it’s a different age” from the days when catchers would start 140 games or more, Roberts said. No catcher in the majors started more than 125 games last season.
Smith’s workload increased last year when Shohei Ohtani arrived, and there was no longer a DH spot to give Smith a partial day off. He started a career-high 117 games at catcher last year (fifth in the majors) – and hit .206 with a .626 OPS after the All-Star break.
“It does take a toll,” Roberts said. “Will is strong, but it’s not a Salvador Perez-engine, right? So you have to just be mindful.”
Roberts has talked about adjustments Smith has made in his workouts over the past year that have benefited him this year and should keep him stronger in the second half.
“I think he’s fresh, he’s healthy,” Roberts said. “He’s obviously getting to a lot of balls, specifically the heater that he wasn’t in the last couple years, certainly at the end of both seasons. I think he’s just, he’s healthy, he’s a perennial All-Star.
“Not that he lacked for confidence, but he’s just, he’s just really, you know, body and mind, in a good spot.”
REHAB SUNDAY
Right-handers Tyler Glasnow and Luis Garcia will start minor-league injury-rehabilitation assignments on Sunday. Glasnow is scheduled to pitch for Triple-A Oklahoma City while Garcia will join Class-A Rancho Cucamonga.
Roberts has said he expects Glasnow to make at least three rehab starts. But he indicated the right-hander does not have to be fully built up before rejoining the starting rotation. The Dodgers currently have left-hander Justin Wrobleski and right-hander Matt Sauer, who could supplement Glasnow with multiple innings in relief.
Glasnow has been out since April 27 with shoulder discomfort and some lower back tightness, issues that he has attributed to changes in his delivery that he made, hoping to avoid the elbow pain that plagued him last season.
Garcia has been out since May 27 when he strained a groin muscle. The 38-year-old right-hander was one of the most frequently used relievers in the Dodgers’ bullpen before that. In 26 appearances before going on the Injured List, he had a 4.50 ERA.
NIGHT OFF
Roberts was suspended one game for his part in the benches-clearing incident between the Dodgers and San Diego Padres Thursday night. He served his suspension Friday night, sitting out the game against the Washington Nationals and watching from home.
“I can see how you guys kind of can wonder what’s going to happen next, or what decision a manager is going to potentially make,” Roberts said. “So I got to experience that, which was a little unsettling.”
Bench coach Danny Lehmann managed the team to a 6-5 victory over the Nationals and Roberts said there was no second-guessing any of Lehmann’s moves by him.
“You know what? We were kind of in lockstep. I liked what he did,” Roberts said.
ALSO
Right-hander Roki Sasaki resumed his throwing program this week and has reported no issues with his shoulder while playing light catch from 60 feet so far. Sasaki was moved to the 60-day Injured List this week and is not eligible to return until August. “He’s doing his progression, which is good,” Roberts said.
UP NEXT
Nationals (RHP Michael Soroka, 3-5, 5.06 ERA) at Dodgers (RHP Shohei Ohtani, 0-0, 9.00 ERA), Sunday, 1:10 p.m., SportsNet LA, 570 AM