11:08 am: Smith has been activated from the IL, the team revealed. Ruiz was optioned to the alternate training site to clear roster space.
9:27 am: Dodgers catcher Will Smith is likely to come back from the hurt list and start behind the plate in this afternoons game versus the Rockies, supervisor Dave Roberts informed reporters (including Ken Gurnick of MLB.com) last night. The 25-year-old successfully captured a bullpen session yesterday, Gurnick adds.
In his piece, Gurnick also provides updates on a handful of other injured Dodgers. Most notably, left-hander Alex Wood and corner infielder Edwin Ríos are eyeing returns of their own within the next week or two.
Assuming he is undoubtedly activated today, it d make for a brief lack. Smith went on the shelf recently with (relatively minor) neck swelling. In the interim, Austin Barnes has actually gotten the lions share of starts behind the plate, with top prospect Keibert Ruiz getting his very first couple video games of major league action. The return of Smith, owner of a profession.243/.338/.545 line (128 wRC+) over his very first 237 MLB plate appearances, just extends a lineup that has been among the best in baseball this season.
