WILL SMITH NEWS

Pummels three homers Smith went 3-for-3 with three solo home runs, two walks and four total runs scored in Friday's 8-5 win over the Brewers.

Impact Smith hit just two homers in June, so he's already off to a fantastic start in July. The catcher went to the opposite field for his first-inning blast before pulling his solo shots in the third and seventh innings. Smith is up to a .276/.349/.502 slash line with 14 homers, 53 RBI, 45 runs scored, 18 doubles and one triple over 73 contests this season.

JULY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Pummels three homers Smith went 3-for-3 with three solo home runs, two walks and four total runs scored in Friday's 8-5 win over the Brewers.

Impact Smith hit just two homers in June, so he's already off to a fantastic start in July. The catcher went to the opposite field for his first-inning blast before pulling his solo shots in the third and seventh innings. Smith is up to a .276/.349/.502 slash line with 14 homers, 53 RBI, 45 runs scored, 18 doubles and one triple over 73 contests this season.

JULY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting down Thursday Smith isn't in the Dodgers' lineup for Thursday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Impact Smith went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored during Wednesday's loss, and he'll get a breather during Thursday's rubber match. Austin Barnes will start at catcher instead and bat ninth.

JULY 4 • ROTOWIRE

Getting rest Sunday Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants.

Impact Smith will get a day off after he had started in five of the Dodgers' previous six contests. Austin Barnes will check in for Smith behind the dish and will bat ninth.

JUNE 30 • ROTOWIRE

Collects three hits, three RBI Smith went 3-for-6 with a double, three RBI and a run scored in Saturday's win over the Giants.

Impact Smith tied the game at five runs apiece with an infield single in the fifth and later added a two-run double in the 11th to put the Dodgers on top 9-7, marking his first multi-hit effort since June 11 against the Rangers. Despite his recent struggles at the plate, the catcher has still managed to post eight RBI over his last nine games and is now up to 50 RBI on the season. However, he's also struck out twice in three of his last five contests.

JUNE 30 • ROTOWIRE

Exits starting nine Smith is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's contest versus the White Sox.

Impact Smith started each of the previous three games at catcher but will begin this one on the bench. Austin Barnes will have the catching duties Wednesday.

JUNE 26 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting Wednesday Smith isn't in the Dodgers' lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rockies, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Impact Smith will get a chance to clear his head Wednesday after going just 1-for-18 at the plate over his last five games. Austin Barnes will take over behind the dish while batting ninth.

JUNE 19 • ROTOWIRE

Getting breather Smith is not in the lineup for Thursday's game in Pittsburgh.

Impact Smith started the first two games of the series, going 3-for-7 with a double, a walk and an RBI. He will yield to Austin Barnes for the series finale as the Dodgers try to avoid a sweep.

JUNE 6 • ROTOWIRE

Two homers in rout of Mets Smith went 3-for-5 with a double, two solo home runs and a third run scored in Wednesday's 10-2 win over the Mets.

Impact The catcher took David Peterson deep in the second inning before getting a hold of an Adam Ottavino sweeper in the eighth. It was Smith's first multi-homer game of the season, and the pair of blasts gave the 29-year-old 100 for his career -- making him the fourth catcher in history to reach triple digits in a Dodgers uniform along with Mike Piazza, Roy Campanella and Steve Yeager. On the season, Smith is slashing .296/.360/.516 with nine long balls and 36 RBI through 49 contests.

MAY 30 • ROTOWIRE

Plays both games in twin bill Smith went 1-for-9 with a solo home run in Tuesday's doubleheader versus the Mets.

Impact Smith caught all 10 innings during Game 1 of the twin bill, then remained in the lineup as the Dodgers' DH in Game 2. He produced one of the team's three runs in the nightcap with a solo homer to left field. Smith's use as the designated hitter after catching in Game 1 highlights how valuable his bat is to the team, though his opportunities to fill the DH role have been more limited this season with Shohei Ohtani in the fold.

MAY 29 • ROTOWIRE

Will Smith wanted to wear No. 2. The Sharks acted quickly, in more ways than one Will Smith, considered the Sharks’ top prospect, signed a three-year contract with San Jose on Tuesday

MAY 29 • MERCURYNEWS.COM

Goes yard in win Smith went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Monday's 6-4 win over the Diamondbacks.

Impact Smith hadn't homered since May 1, going 8-for-43 (.186) with two doubles and six RBI over the 13 games between long balls. That's a rare cold spell for the catcher, who is slashing .308/.381/.481 with five homers, 31 RBI, 26 runs scored and 12 doubles over 181 plate appearances. With Shohei Ohtani occupying the designated hitter spot, Smith has received routine days off this year, though he's still the primary catcher over backup Austin Barnes.

MAY 21 • ROTOWIRE

Smiths, Netflix team up for comedy show to benefit Catching Hope LOS ANGELES -- Before the domestic Opening Day back in March, Dodgers catcher Will Smith agreed to a long-term deal that will keep him in Lo...

MAY 10 • MLB.COM

Getting rest day Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against Atlanta.

Impact Unless he makes a plate appearance off the bench, Smith will put his eight-game hitting streak on hold and get a breather after he was behind the plate for each of the Dodgers' previous five contests. Austin Barnes will handle the catching duties in the series finale.

MAY 5 • ROTOWIRE

Shohei Ohtani, Anthony Rizzo and an M's ace top Ben Verlander's MLB Team of the Week

Familiar faces from the Dodgers and Yankees make Ben Verlander's latest Team of the Week, as do some dominant Mariners and A's pitchers.

APRIL 29

Sitting out Saturday Smith is not in the Dodgers' lineup Saturday against the Mets.

Impact Smith will get a breather after starting in the series opener Friday, when he went 2-for-4 with a double, one run and one walk. Austin Barnes will start behind the plate and bat ninth against Mets right-hander Jose Butto.

APRIL 20 • ROTOWIRE

Receives Sunday off Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game versus the Cardinals.

Impact Smith has hits in each of the first five games of the season and is coming off a three-hit performance Saturday, but he'll receive a breather in the series finale against St. Louis. Austin Barnes will step in behind the plate and bat ninth Sunday.

MARCH 31 • ROTOWIRE

Will Smith, Dodgers reach $140 million, 10-year deal. LA has spent $1.4 billion on 5 key players

Catcher Will Smith and the Los Angeles Dodgers agreed to a $140 million, 10-year contract, raising the team’s spending to nearly $1.4 billion for five key players since December

MARCH 27 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Reports: Dodgers signing C Will Smith to 10-year extension The Los Angeles Dodgers are finalizing a 10-year contract extension for catcher Will Smith worth $140 million, ESPN and MLB.com reported Wed...

MARCH 27 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM

Dodgers, Smith agree to 10-year contract extension Since his debut in 2019, Smith leads all catchers (min. 1,500 plate appearances) with a 128 wRC+ while producing an .840 OPS.

MARCH 27 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Dodgers, Will Smith have agreed to a record 10-year, $140M extension

The Los Angeles Dodgers are have given Will Smith, who turns 29 on Thursday, the longest contract extension ever given to a catcher.

MARCH 27

Will Smith, Dodgers finalizing 10-year extension (source) The Dodgers are keeping another one of their core pieces in place for the long haul. Catcher Will Smith is finalizing a 10-year extension wi...

MARCH 27 • MLB.COM

Returns from back issue Smith (back) started at catcher and went 1-for-2 with a two-run double against Team Korea on Monday.

Impact He had recently been scratched from a Cactus League game as a precaution due to back tightness, but since he was able to start this exhibition in South Korea, it seems like it was a minor issue. Smith should play in the Seoul Series against the Padres later this week.

MARCH 18 • ROTOWIRE