Will Smith's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith is out of the starting lineup ahead of Tuesday's game against the Chicago Cubs. This looks like a rest game for Smith after he went hitless with two strikeouts during Monday's game. In his place, Austin Barnes will do the catching and bat ninth versus left-hander Shota Imanaga. Barnes is a fine backup catcher with a .262 batting average over 49 games this season. However, he doesn't offer much pop with the bat and has a tough matchup here, so fantasy managers should look elsewhere for a streaming option on Tuesday.

The Kansas City Royals want left-handed reliever William Smith (back) fresh for the last month of the 2024 regular season, so a rest on the injured could help his cause. Smith has been playing catch to keep his arm in shape. He had been dealing with back issues for a few weeks before the team placed him on the 15-day IL on Aug. 26. Smith had been trying to pitch through it, but it was impacting his performance on the mound, and his back spasms got worse after the appeared on back-to-back days against the Philadelphia Phillies on Aug. 24 and 25, when he surrendered seven runs in just two innings. In his previous five appearances, the 35-year-old southpaw allowed 14 runs in just 4 2/3 innings, so he has clearly been bothered by his back issues. If Smith is healthy down the stretch as the Royals try to secure one of the final wild-card spots in the American League, he'll operate as a key lefty setup man.

The Kansas City Royals placed left-handed reliever William Smith (back) on the 15-day injured list on Monday with lower-back spasms and recalled right-hander Carlos Hernandez from Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move. The 35-year-old veteran southpaw had been terrible of late, and this explains why. In his last five appearances out of the bullpen since Aug. 9, he surrendered 14 earned runs on 12 hits (three home runs) while walking two and striking out five over just 4 2/3 innings pitched. The brutal stretch raised his season ERA to 6.53 and his WHIP to 1.45. Smith has gone 0-4 this year for the Royals and has only picked up one save while striking out only 29 and walking 15 hitters in 41 1/3 total innings for work. He brings plenty of experience to KC's bullpen (114 career saves), but he can remain on the waiver wire in all fantasy leagues.

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith will be taking a seat in Sunday's series finale as the Dodgers play the final game of a three-game set against the Tampa Bay Rays. Instead, Hunter Feduccia will get the starting nod, as the typical backup catcher Austin Barnes (toe), is currently on the 10-day injured list. Smith has been in a bit of a slump this month, holding an overall .193 average but has been getting back on track of late, as he was riding a three-game hitting streak entering Sunday. Fantasy managers should expect Smith to rejoin the starting nine on Tuesday as the Dodgers host the Baltimore Orioles. Feduccia could be a sneaky play in DFS this afternoon as he will face Tampa Bay spot starter Jacob Lopez, who carries a hefty 8.44 ERA.

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith went 3-for-4 with a double, a solo shot, and two runs scored on Tuesday as his team beat the Milwaukee Brewers 7-2. Smith has been on a bit of a cold streak as of late, slashing .140/.258/.228 in his last 15 games. However, the two-time All-Star has remained one of the best-hitting catchers in baseball this season and will look to build off this performance for more consistent play down the stretch. Overall, Smith is slashing .251/.331/.444 with 16 home runs, 62 RBI, and 57 runs over 420 plate appearances.