Will Smith DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith will retreat to the bench on Friday against the visiting Detroit Tigers at Dodger Stadium. Austin Barnes will do the catching for right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto and will bat ninth against Tigers right-hander Jack Flaherty. Smith will get the day off on his 30th birthday. The veteran backstop has gotten off to a solid start to his 2025 campaign by going 3-for-7 with a double, RBI, a league-leading five walks and two runs scored in three games played. While he's not an elite fantasy catcher, Smith is as steady as they come and is in the best lineup in baseball. Expect him to return to action on Saturday against the Tigers. Barnes has very little offensive upside and should be avoided in DFS. He hasn't recorded a hit in just three career at-bats against Flaherty.

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (knee) is back in the Cactus League lineup on Thursday against the Texas Rangers, doing the catching and batting sixth. Smith was hit by a pitch on his left knee in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Cincinnati Reds and was removed as a precaution and he was just dealing with a minor contusion. The 29-year-old was also held back at the start of spring training due to an ankle injury that he suffered late last season. That injury was nothing to worry about either, and it was a way for the Dodgers to rest their starting catcher early in camp. Unless something else pops up with Smith, he'll be fine for the season-opening two-game series in Tokyo, Japan, against the Chicago Cubs on March 18 and 19. Smith isn't an elite fantasy catching option, but he's ranked at No. 7 at the position at RotoBaller and resides in the best lineup in baseball.

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (knee) was replaced in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Cincinnati Reds after getting hit by a pitch on his left knee, according to The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya. It's unclear how severe Smith's left-knee injury is, but it's not the first injury he's dealt with in spring training after being delayed early in camp with ankle soreness. For now, we'll consider the 29-year-old backstop day-to-day until we get further word on his ailment. Most likely, the Dodgers pulled him out of an abundance of caution. An All-Star the last two seasons, Smith slashed .248/.327/.433 last year with 20 home runs, 75 RBI and 77 runs scored in 128 games. It was the third time in the last four years that Smith has reached the 20-homer mark to finish as a top-five fantasy catcher. While he's not an elite fantasy option at the position, he's been extremely reliable and has a safe floor in the best lineup in baseball.UPDATE: Manager Dave Roberts said Smith's exit was purely precautionary.

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (ankle) has been dealing with a bone bruise on his left ankle since last June. Smith said this injury occurred when he rolled his ankle. Smith noted that the team is exploring ways to manage it throughout the year. He made his Cactus League debut on Friday and said that the injury did not affect his swing, but he felt "more" pain while running. Fantasy managers should monitor his status throughout camp in case he faces a setback. However, seeing him begin to participate in spring training games suggests the injury should not keep him sidelined too often in the regular season. However, he may be given more rest days. Last season, the 29-year-old posted a .248/.327/.433 slash line with 24 doubles and 20 home runs. He should be expected to be the everyday backstop and bat in the heart of a potent Dodger lineup.

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (ankle) is set to make his Cactus League debut for the Dodgers on Friday against the Los Angeles Angels, according to the Los Angeles Times' Jack Harris. A minor ankle injury kept Smith sidelined early in the spring training slate, but he's ready to go now and will be ready to roll for Opening Day on March 18 against the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo, Japan, barring a setback once he gets into games. The 29-year-old backstop will also serve as the catcher in his first spring game on Friday. The former 32nd overall pick in 2016 out of the University of Louisville, Smith has been an All-Star each of the last two years and slashed .248/.327/.433 with a career-low .760 OPS, 20 home runs, 75 RBI and 77 runs scored in 128 regular-season games in 2024. While Smith's numbers definitely dipped, especially in the second half, he's been extremely consistent and is on the best team in baseball.