Will Smith Fantasy Stats

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith will hit cleanup against left-handed starting pitchers to open the 2026 regular season, manager Dave Roberts told Jack Harris of the California Post. The Dodgers rolled out this wrinkle to their lineup during Monday's spring training contest against the Los Angeles Angels, and it sounds like it will stick for at least the first part of the season. As a result, Freddie Freeman dropped to the fifth spot in the lineup. Presumably, the motivating factor is to get more balance at the top of the order. With Kyle Tucker on the team, three of the Dodgers' first four batters were projected to be left-handed hitters. Swapping Smith and Freeman allows for just two lefties among the first four batters. Jumping to cleanup against southpaws should lead to additional RBI opportunities for the veteran backstop, who already ranks #9 among catchers in RotoBaller's fantasy baseball rankings for 2026.

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith has produced positive fWAR as a hitter and fielder every season throughout his career, and he remains a top fantasy baseball threat in 2026. Smith is coming off the best year of his career, slashing .296/.404/.497 with 17 home runs and a career-high 153 wRC+. His strikeout rate jumped to 20.4%, but he also posted a career-best 14.7% walk rate. Behind the dish, he contributed -8 FRV but 1.6 fWAR. Between hitting and fielding combined, he produced 4.1 fWAR. That ranked third-highest on the Dodgers, trailing only Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Now that the Dodgers are armed with Kyle Tucker, and Smith is a prime candidate for slight regression, FanGraphs is projecting the veteran backstop for 3.3 fWAR in 2026. That ranks sixth-highest on the team but is still an incredible mark, especially for a catcher. He is the #8 backstop in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball draft rankings for 2026.

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (hand) is in the starting lineup ahead of Wednesday's Game 3 of the NLDS versus the Philadelphia Phillies. This marks the first time this postseason that Smith has been in the starting lineup. Smith has been sidelined lately due to a fractured hand. Despite that, Smith was able to deliver a clutch hit off the bench in Game 2. He's feeling good enough to start behind the plate and will bat fifth versus right-hander Aaron Nola. Ben Rortvedt will head to the bench with Smith resuming his starting catching duties.

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (hand) remains out of the starting lineup for Game 2 of the National League Division Series on Monday against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park as the Dodgers go for a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series. Ben Rortvedt will make another start behind the plate and will catch left-hander Blake Snell while hitting ninth against Phillies left-hander Jesus Luzardo. Smith was not on the roster for the wild-card series against the Cincinnati Reds and has not started a game in almost a month due to a right-hand fracture. However, the 30-year-old All-Star is making progress and was able to pinch hit before staying in the game to play defense in the Game 1 win over the Phils on Saturday. Manager Dave Roberts said Smith is trending toward starting in Game 3 on Wednesday in L.A. One of the best-hitting catchers in baseball, the Dodgers' already potent lineup will get a big boost when Smith returns to his starting spot.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that catcher Will Smith (hand) will be available to catch in the National League Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, according to David Vassegh of 570 LA Sports. However, Roberts failed to disclose if Smith would return to catch in Game 1 of the series at Citizens Bank Park on Saturday. Smith's return will be a big boost to an already strong Dodgers team as they look to repeat as World Series champions this year. With the 30-year-old three-time All-Star sidelined late in the regular season and in the wild-card series against the Cincinnati Reds, Ben Rortvedt served as the Dodgers' primary backstop. Smith had yet another solid campaign in 2025, hitting a career-best .296 (107-for-362) with 17 long balls, 61 RBI, and 64 runs in 110 games played. He hasn't played since Sept. 9, though, so there could be a rust factor offensively for Smith as he returns for the NLDS.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has decided to carry 30-year-old catcher Will Smith (hand) on the wild-card roster ahead of the upcoming series against the Cincinnati Reds. Smith has not played since September 9 after landing on the 10-day injured list with a fracture in his right hand. The veteran catcher will only be available for pinch-hitting duties as he works his way back into game shape. Before the injury, Smith was one of the Dodgers' most consistent offensive producers, slashing .296/.404/.497 with a .901 OPS across 110 games. His presence, even in a limited role, gives Los Angeles a dangerous late-game bat.

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (hand) was scheduled to take more swings on Monday, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. If Smith feels good on Monday, he will face live pitching on Monday night. If he doesn't feel good, Ardaya speculates that it won't be a good sign for his chances to be on the wild-card roster against the Cincinnati Reds this week. The 30-year-old felt good while swinging in the batting cage on Saturday, so he's giving it another go on Monday before the Dodgers have to finalize their roster for the wild-card series on Tuesday. Smith would be a big loss behind the plate for the defending World Series champions, as he hit a cool .296/.404/.497 with a .901 OPS and 17 home runs during the regular season. However, the three-time All-Star has not played in a game since Sept. 9. If Smith is out this week against Cincy, Ben Rortvedt will continue to serve as L.A.'s starting backstop.

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (hand) won't return this weekend and is doubtful to play again in the regular season. Smith recently underwent imaging that revealed a hairline fracture in his right hand. It sounds like the Dodgers are going to play it safe and hold Smith out for the last week or so in the regular season. His availability for the postseason is still uncertain at the moment. The absence of Smith means that Ben Rortvedt should do a majority of the catching down the stretch. At this point, it seems safe for fantasy managers to drop Smith in redraft formats.

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (hand) will not come off the 10-day injured list when he's first eligible this weekend, manager Dave Roberts told reporters. Smith has been on the IL since Sept. 10 with a bone bruise on his right hand, and while he has been catching bullpen sessions, he hasn't resumed hitting or throwing. He suffered the injury on Sept. 3 and has only appeared in one game since then. Until the three-time All-Star comes back, the Dodgers will go with Ben Rortvedt and Dalton Rushing as their catchers while they attempt to fend off the San Diego Padres for an NL West crown. As one of the Dodgers' most productive players, Smith is among the main reasons they're leading their division. The 30-year-old has slashed .296/.404/.497 with 17 homers, 61 RBI, and 64 runs scored in 436 trips to the plate.

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (hand) was placed on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to September 11. The Dodgers tried to avoid this, but sadly, Smith wasn't improving quickly enough. He'll head to the shelf due to right-hand soreness, but will hopefully return before the end of the regular season. The Dodgers had to make this move as they couldn't keep playing shorthanded. Smith has missed nine of the last 10 games, so it was time for him to be placed on the IL. In a corresponding move, Chuckie Robinson has been recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City. He figures to split up the playing time behind the plate with Ben Rortvedt.