WILL SMITH NEWS

Drives in three in victory Smith went 2-for-6 with three RBI and a run scored Saturday in the Dodgers' 14-11 win over the Angels.

Impact Smith was one of five Dodgers to provide multiple hits on the night to help his side snap a four-game losing streak. The 26-year-old backstop has recorded at least one hit in all but one of his last nine games, slashing .324/.351/.529 over that span.

MAY 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Angels snap 5-game skid, blast Dodgers 9-2 in Freeway Series

David Fletcher drove in three runs on three hits, Shohei Ohtani had two RBI doubles and the Los Angeles Angels snapped their five-game losing streak with a 9-2 victory over the slu...

MAY 8, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sits for Game 1 of doubleheader Smith is out of the lineup for the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader with the Cubs.

Impact Clayton Kershaw will start for the Dodgers in the afternoon contest, so Smith will take a seat while the lefty's personal catcher, Austin Barnes, steps in behind the dish. Expect Smith to catch Trevor Bauer in the nightcap.

MAY 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Registers first career triple Smith went 1-for-2 with a triple, a run and two RBI in a loss to Milwaukee on Saturday.

Impact The backstop appeared to be getting the day off with Austin Barnes starting the game behind the plate, but the team called on him to pinch hit in the ninth inning with a runner on second and the score tied 2-2. Smith wasn't able to come up with a clutch hit in that situation, but he remained in the game and got another chance to play hero with two runners aboard in the 11th. This time the catcher came through, working a full count before lining a two-run triple to right field. While he is hitting just .234 so far this season, Smith has posted a 12:13 BB:K and a .383 OBP. His .411 xwOBA ranks in the 92nd percentile leaguewide.

MAY 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Not starting Saturday Smith isn't starting Saturday's game against Milwaukee, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Impact Smith will get a day off after he went 2-for-7 in the last two games. Austin Barnes will start behind the plate and bat eighth.

MAY 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Takes seat Wednesday Smith isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Reds, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Impact Smith blasted a three-run homer in the fourth inning of Tuesday's loss to the Reds, but he'll get a breather for Wednesday's series finale. Austin Barnes will take over behind the dish and bat eighth.

APRIL 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Clubs three-run homer Smith went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run and two runs scored Tuesday against the Reds.

Impact Smith took Jeff Hoffman deep in the fourth inning for his third home run of the season. It was the first time he's gone yard since April 5, a 13-start span. For the season, Smith is hitting 218/.389/.473 with seven RBI and 11 runs scored across 72 plate appearances.

APRIL 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Votto, Winker lead Reds to 6-5 win over scuffling Dodgers

Joey Votto hit a go-ahead double, Jesse Winker homered and drove in two runs and the Cincinnati Reds rallied for the second straight night to defeat the scuffling Los Angeles Dodge...

APRIL 28, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Winker's homer in 10th propels Reds past Dodgers 5-3

Jesse Winker’s two-run homer in the 10th inning sent the Cincinnati Reds past the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-3 to snap a seven-game losing streak

APRIL 27, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Heads to bench Sunday Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres.

Impact Smith broke out of a minor cold spell by going 2-for-4 with a double in Saturday's 5-4 win, but he'll still sit for the second time in the series. Austin Barnes will catch Dustin May in the finale.

APRIL 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Not in Friday's lineup Smith isn't starting Friday's game against the Padres, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Impact Smith has gone 1-for-10 with a double, one walk and four strikeouts in his last three games. Austin Barnes will start behind the dish Friday, batting eighth.

APRIL 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Mariners use 2 HRs, Moore's defensive gem to top Dodgers 4-3

Rookie Taylor Trammell homered and added a key RBI double, third baseman Dylan Moore thwarted a Dodgers rally with a terrific defensive play in the seventh and the Seattle Mariners...

APRIL 20, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Hosmer delivers late for Padres in 5-2 win over Dodgers

Eric Hosmer delivered the tying and go-ahead RBIs in the seventh and eighth innings, helping the San Diego Padres beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-2 to avoid a sweep in the first ser...

APRIL 18, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sitting Saturday Smith is not starting Saturday's game against San Diego, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Impact The Dodgers indicated prior to the start of the season that Smith could be given a lighter workload than most starting catchers, though the team has used a fairly standard split thus far. Smith has started nine games behind the plate, while Austin Barnes, who starts Saturday, has gotten the call six times.

APRIL 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting Wednesday Smith is not in Wednesday's lineup against the Rockies, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Impact He is hitting .261 with two home runs in 23 at-bats. Austin Barnes will start behind the dish and bat eighth.

APRIL 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Betts, Bauer star for new fans as Dodgers crush Rockies 7-0

Mookie Betts homered and Trevor Bauer pitched seven innings of one-hit ball in both veterans’ first home games in front of their new Dodgers fans

APRIL 14, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Receives breather Sunday Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Impact Smith started the past three games behind the plate but will take a seat Sunday after going 1-for-10 with one double, one run and two walks. Austin Barnes will start behind the plate and bat eighth in the series finale.

APRIL 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Taylor's homer propels Dodgers to 9-5 win over Nationals

Chris Taylor hit a three-run homer and Zach McKinstry made big plays with his bat and arm as the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Washington Nationals 9-5

APRIL 11, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Not in lineup Smith will head to the bench Tuesday against Oakland, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Impact The Dodgers made it clear over the offseason that Smith would handle a lighter workload than is typical for a starting catcher, and they've backed those words up thus far. Smith will sit for the third time in the first six games of the year, with Austin Barnes continuing to serve as Clayton Kershaw's personal catcher. Smith has been everything he's supposed to be when available, going 5-for-10 with a pair of homers, two doubles and four walks, but the playing-time concerns aren't going away any time soon.

APRIL 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Reaches base four times Smith went 1-for-3 with a home run and three walks during Monday's win over the Athletics.

Impact Smith reached safely in four of his six plate appearances while also launching his second long ball of the season, and he's now hit safely in his last three contests while going deep in back-to-back contests. He's undoubtedly providing solid offense from a position where the elite offensive alternatives are quite limited.

APRIL 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Homers by Smith, Turner help Dodgers rout winless A's 10-3

Will Smith homered off the left-field foul pole, Corey Seager and Zach McKinstry each drove in three runs, and the Los Angeles Dodgers pounded the winless Oakland Athletics 10-3

APRIL 6, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Slams first home run Smith went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Sunday's 4-2 win over the Rockies.

Impact After sitting the last two days, Smith came up big in the eighth inning with a solo shot for his first home run of the season. The Dodgers have quite the catcher tandem between Smith and Austin Barnes. Neither catcher will get everyday playing opportunities, but Smith has provided offense in both games he's played in so far. He is 4-for-6 with a home run, three RBI and three runs scored to start his season.

APRIL 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Urías starts strong, Dodgers beat Rox 4-2 for 3rd win in row

Julio Urías got off to a strong start after a fine finish in last year’s World Series, pitching into the eighth inning as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Colorado Rockies 4-2

APRIL 4, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sits for second time Smith will be on the bench Saturday against the Rockies, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Impact The Dodgers made it clear over the offseason that Smith wouldn't find himself in the lineup all that more often than Austin Barnes this season. That's been the case through the first three games of the year, with Smith starting just once and Barnes starting twice. Smith went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles, two runs and two RBI Friday, but even that wasn't enough to keep him in the lineup.

APRIL 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Big day at plate Friday Smith went 3-for-4 with two doubles, two runs scored and two RBI in Friday's 11-6 win over the Rockies.

Impact Making his first start of the season, Smith took full advantage of Coors Field's expansive outfield. Austin Barnes injured his hand Opening Day but is still expected to be back behind the plate Saturday, and the only thing standing between Smith and a huge 2021 campaign might be the fact that he's stuck in a timeshare.

APRIL 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE