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The Dodgers received a positive update on Will Smith, and it could reshape how the front office approaches the trade deadline, per Jack Harris at the New York Post. Smith’s progress — the specifics of which point toward a return sooner than initially feared — means the Dodgers may not need to prioritize adding a catcher in the next couple of days as aggressively as many expected.

Smith has been one of the most productive catchers in baseball since establishing himself as the Dodgers’ everyday backstop. The former first-round pick out of Louisville has consistently posted above-average offensive numbers for the position, combining solid contact ability with legitimate power from both sides of the plate. His switch-hitting profile makes him especially valuable in a lineup that already skews heavily left-handed, and his pitch-framing and game-calling have steadily improved over the years. Losing him created a real hole — not just offensively, but in terms of how the pitching staff operates. His absence forced the Dodgers to lean more heavily on their catching depth, and while the club has gotten solid contributions behind the plate (we’ve already covered how Dalton Rushing has been making his case as the everyday guy), getting Smith back would be a significant boost.

This update matters because the Dodgers have been operating with what Andrew Friedman described as an “opportunistic mindset” heading into the deadline. Catching was widely viewed as one of the positions where they might need to make a move, especially with Smith sidelined. If he’s genuinely close to returning, that frees up prospect capital and financial flexibility to address other areas — starting pitching depth, bullpen reinforcement, or an impact bat — rather than spending assets on a rental catcher who might only be needed for a few weeks.

I think this is genuinely good news on multiple levels. Smith is better than any catcher the Dodgers were realistically going to trade for, and getting him back organically is the kind of internal reinforcement that contenders love. It’s essentially a deadline acquisition without giving up anything. The Dodgers’ depth has been tested all season, and having Smith rejoin a lineup that already features Rushing’s development is a strong position to be in. It also lets the front office be more selective and aggressive in targeting the areas that actually need outside help. The deadline is Tuesday, and this update gives the Dodgers more room to be patient — or to swing bigger elsewhere.

Source(s): Jack Harris (New York Post) | First reported: July 29, 2026 12:52 PM UTC

God Bless and Go Dodgers