Dodgers Announce Huge Will Smith News Ahead of NLDS Game 3
The Los Angeles Dodgers have revealed their starting lineup for Game 3 of the NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies.
www.newsweek.comI don’t have live access to the latest updates in this moment, but I can share what media outlets were reporting most recently about Will Smith and the Dodgers.
Core answer
- The latest coverage in late 2024 through 2025 focused on Will Smith’s status as the Dodgers’ catcher returning from a hand injury and his involvement in post-season activities, with ongoing updates about when he would be ready for full workload. Several outlets reported optimism about his postseason readiness and potential three-catcher alignment, depending on his health.[1][3]
Context and key developments from the latest publicly available reports
- Postseason return from hand injury: Reports indicated Smith was dealing with a hairline fracture in his hand, returning gradually and sometimes being limited in the NLDS games while doctors and the Dodgers’ medical staff monitored his workload. Optimism grew as he progressed toward live batting practice and a fuller role if his rehab stayed on track.[3][1]
- Lineup considerations and roster decisions: There were discussions about maintaining three catchers on the roster for the postseason if Smith could handle the workload, with managers expressing cautious optimism about his continued progression.[3]
- Situational updates during the NLDS: In early October 2025, reports noted Smith’s absence from the lineup in certain games due to recovery status, but also that he could be optioned to start in later games if he continued to improve. The organization indicated that his health would determine his role in subsequent games.[2]
What this means for fans
- If you’re tracking the team’s postseason plans, expect frequent updates on his health status and estimated workload, especially around live batting practice, pregame work, and potential catching innings in high-leverage games. The Dodgers have historically balanced his long-term health with the urgency of October, so expect cautious, incremental returns rather than a full-time backstop immediately.[1][2]
Illustration (conceptual)
- A simple timeline: injury occurrence → gradual rehab → live batting practice → potential three-catcher roster → return to regular-season/postseason catching duties if all goes well.
If you’d like, I can:
- Narrow to a specific date range (e.g., last two weeks of 2025) and pull the most relevant summaries.
- Look for the most current status as of today, and, if you want, set up a quick alert-style summary (e.g., “Will Smith update: status, available innings, and next expected milestone”).
Would you like me to pull the very latest updates for Will Smith and Dodgers status right now? I can also tailor the summary to Dodgers postseason planning or to Will Smith’s on-field role in 2026.