Manager Dave Roberts said Friday that Smith (hand) will be available to catch against Philadelphia during the NLDS, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Roberts didn't say whether Smith will be behind the dish in Game 1 on Saturday, but the skipper's comments are a good sign that the 30-year-old backstop is nearing his 2025 postseason debut. Smith's .901 OPS in the regular season set a new personal best for a season in which he logged at least 400 plate appearances, so his return to the starting nine will provide a significant boost to a Dodgers squad looking to defend its 2024 World Series title.

Smith (hand) will be included on the Dodgers' wild-card roster but available only in a pinch-hitting capacity, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith has played just one game since Sept. 3 due to a fracture in his right hand but did some live hitting during Monday's team workout without issue. He apparently has not improved enough to catch, at least not on a full-time basis, and with Shohei Ohtani filling the designated-hitter spot, Smith will be used only as a pinch hitter. That leaves Ben Rorvedt and Dalton Rushing to serve as the Dodgers' catchers during the wild-card round.

Smith (hand) will take more swings in the batting cage Monday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith responded well to taking swings in the batting cage Saturday, and if Monday's session goes well, the catcher will face some live pitching Monday night. If the session goes poorly, Smith would likely be ruled out for the Dodgers' upcoming wild-card round series against the Reds beginning Tuesday. In his absence, Ben Rortvedt has been handling the bulk of the workload behind the plate, and he would likely do so if Smith can't give it a go versus Cincinnati.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that Smith (hand) responded well to taking swings in the batting cage Saturday, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Dodgers aren't closing the door on Smith being available for the team's three-game wild-card series that begins Tuesday, but Roberts noted that the catcher's availability would be contingent on him taking live at-bats Monday without issue. If the Dodgers opt to hold Smith out for the opening round of the playoffs, Ben Rortvedt and Dalton Rushing would serve as their options behind the plate. Smith has been on the shelf since Sept. 13 due to a hairline fracture in his right hand.

Imaging revealed a hairline fracture in Smith's right hand Saturday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Dave Roberts added that it's doubtful Smith will be able to play again during the regular season, and he's unsure whether the backstop will be ready for the postseason. If Smith is ultimately sidelined the rest of the way, the 30-year-old will finish the year with a .296/.404/.497 slash line alongside 17 homers, 61 RBI and 64 runs scored over 110 games. Ben Rortvedt has been receiving the bulk of playing time at catcher with Smith out and will likely continue to do so for the final week of the regular season.

Smith will not be reinstated from the injured list once he's eligible to return Saturday, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday that Smith has resumed catching bullpen sessions but hasn't yet progressed to hitting or throwing. With so many hurdles to clear and only three days remaining before he can come off the IL, it makes sense that the Dodgers plan to keep him on the shelf for a more-than-minimum stay. In the meantime, Dalton Rushing and Ben Rortvedt will continue to start behind the plate for Los Angeles.

The Dodgers placed Smith (hand) on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to Sept. 10, on Saturday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith hurt his hand Wednesday, Sept. 3 after taking a foul tip off his right hand. He was able to return to the lineup Sept. 9 but was scratched the next day. Manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that Smith was ultimately moved to the injured list because "there just wasn't improvement." With Smith's IL stint being backdated to Wednesday, he'll be eligible to return Sept. 20, and Los Angeles aims to activate him then. In the meantime, Ben Rortvedt will likely serve as the team's primary backstop.

Smith (hand) isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Giants, Kirsten Watson of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.

EDGE Analysis

Now set to miss his eighth game in 10 days due to a lingering hand injury, Smith could be facing a trip to the injured list if his condition doesn't improve soon. Ben Rortvedt will start behind the plate again and bat ninth.

Smith (hand) isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

Smith will head to the bench for the second straight game and the seventh time in the Dodgers' last eight contests while he continues to nurse a sore right hand. Ben Rortvedt will receive another start at catcher as a result and bat ninth.

Smith was scratched from the lineup ahead of Wednesday's game against Colorado due to right hand soreness.

EDGE Analysis

Smith recently missed five games after getting hit on the hand by a pitch last Wednesday, and manager Dave Roberts has said that it will be something the 30-year-old backstop has to deal with for the rest of the season. While Smith takes a day off to nurse his hand, it will be Ben Rortvedt behind the plate catching for Blake Snell and batting ninth.