Overview
- Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed that Will Smith will start a rehab assignment with Triple‑A Oklahoma City on Tuesday, Aug. 25.
- Club insiders project Smith could rejoin the big‑league roster in the first week of September, which would align with expanded rosters around Sept. 1.
- Roberts said he expects Smith to be available for the postseason, though the exact activation will depend on how he performs and is cleared during the rehab games.
- Los Angeles has relied on trade pickups Ben Rortvedt and Hunter Feduccia and other backups while Smith has been out since early June with an inflamed cervical disc.
- Smith’s surface 2026 numbers are down but Statcast’s expected metrics show stronger contact and power, meaning his return could noticeably strengthen the Dodgers’ middle‑of‑order offense and give the pitching staff a familiar primary catcher.