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Dodgers activate Will Smith, Justin Wrobleski, and Dalton Rushing ahead of Cardinals series
The Los Angeles Dodgers activated catcher Will Smith, catcher Dalton Rushing, and pitcher Justin Wrobleski from the injured list on Tuesday, also adding infielder Alex Freeland to the roster. The moves come as the team looks to bolster its offense and pitching depth for the final month of the season.
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The Los Angeles Dodgers welcomed back three key players from the injured list on Tuesday, as catcher Will Smith, catcher Dalton Rushing, and pitcher Justin Wrobleski were activated ahead of a three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals. The team also added infielder Alex Freeland to the active roster, while optioning outfielder Alek Thomas to Triple-A Oklahoma City and designating catcher Ben Rortvedt for assignment.
Key Returns and Roster Moves
Smith, who had been out since June 6 with a neck injury, was in the starting lineup and set to bat fifth in the series opener. He batted .249 with six home runs and 23 RBIs in 52 games before his injury. Manager Dave Roberts said Smith is expected to start two of the three games in the series, noting, "We've got a lot of the bases covered."
Rushing, sidelined since Aug. 3 with a right arm injury, appeared in a career-high 74 games this season, hitting .253 with 12 home runs and 36 RBIs. He will be used primarily as a pinch-hitter as he continues to progress. Roberts said the team is not yet ready to have him catch, adding, "I'm not quite there yet on being totally bullish on him getting back (behind the plate)."
Wrobleski, who had been out with left forearm inflammation, made one rehab appearance with Oklahoma City, allowing one run and striking out two in 1 1/3 innings. He is expected to be used out of the bullpen moving forward. Before his injury, he was 0-3 with an 8.69 ERA over his last four starts.
Freeland, who was batting .231 with three home runs and 19 RBIs in 72 games before being optioned to Triple-A in July, was in the starting lineup at second base and batting ninth. Tommy Edman moved to center field as part of the reshuffling.
Ohtani's Return in Focus
Shohei Ohtani, who has not pitched since early July due to left knee and right biceps issues, could be nearing a decision on his return to the mound. Roberts said, "Nothing's going to happen until potentially Sunday, but I do think that there's going to be a conversation that needs to be had this week about what the outlook is, and we haven't had it yet."
Ohtani was last on the mound on July 7, and his offensive production has declined recently. The Dodgers have indicated they will remain in a six-man rotation, with Wrobleski not starting if Ohtani cannot pitch, and Emmet Sheehan or Gavin Stone as potential candidates.
Pitching Updates
Closer Edwin Díaz pitched a simulated inning on Tuesday and is likely to throw another live session before going on a rehab assignment. Rushing said of Díaz, "He looked good. Probably the most refined I think his stuff has been in the last few months here."
Right-hander Blake Treinen, who has not pitched since June 19 due to elbow inflammation, is expected to return "very soon," according to Roberts. Meanwhile, right-hander Ben Casparius suffered a setback during his rehab, putting the remainder of his season in jeopardy.
Smith, who made five rehab starts at Triple-A Oklahoma City, batting .250, will handle the pitching staff as he eases back into regular action. The team's next game is Wednesday against the Cardinals, with Yoshinobu Yamamoto scheduled to start.
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Framing: The headline emphasizes the return of two players, Will Smith and Justin Wrobleski, to the roster.
Facts Included:
The Dodgers welcomed back catcher Will Smith, backup Dalton Rushing and pitcher Justin Wrobleski from the injured list Tuesday.
Smith had been out since June 6 with a neck injury.
Rushing was sidelined since Aug. 3 with a right arm injury.
Wrobleski had been out because of left forearm inflammation.
Manager Dave Roberts said, 'We've got a lot of the bases covered.'
Shohei Ohtani hasn't pitched since early July because of continued issues with his left knee and right biceps.
Closer Edwin Díaz pitched a simulated inning Tuesday and likely will throw another live session before going on a rehab assignment.
Smith was in the starting lineup and set to bat fifth in the series opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday.
Rushing appeared in a career-high 74 games, hitting .253 with 12 homers and 36 RBI before his injury.
Wrobleski made one rehab appearance with Oklahoma City, allowing one run and striking out two in 1 1/3 innings.
Infielder Alex Freeland was added to the active roster. To make room, outfielder Alek Thomas was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City while catcher Ben Rortvedt was designated for assignment.
Freeland was in the starting lineup at second base and was set to bat ninth against the Cardinals.
Framing: Roster moves: activation of four players as rosters expand
Facts Included:
Catcher Will Smith and second baseman Alex Freeland were among the roster additions on Tuesday, with both in the starting lineup in the opener of a three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Left-hander Justin Wrobleski and catcher Dalton Rushing also were activated to the inflated 28-man group, while center fielder Alek Thomas was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City and catcher Ben Rortvedt was designated for assignment.
Smith was batting .249 with six home runs and 23 RBIs in 52 games when he went on the injured list in early June with neck inflammation.
Freeland was batting .231 with three home runs and 19 RBIs in 72 games before he was optioned back to Triple-A in July when Kiké Hernandez was activated from the injured list.
Shohei Ohtani was last on the mound in a game on July 7 before left knee soreness limited him to hitting duties only.
Roberts said, 'Nothing’s going to happen until potentially Sunday, but I do think that there’s going to be a conversation that needs to be had this week about what the outlook is, and we haven’t had it yet.'
Rushing said of his throwing, 'I am throwing. (It) feels good, feels normal.'
Roberts said of Rushing, 'I’m not quite there yet on being totally bullish on him getting back (behind the plate).'
Right-hander Blake Treinen, who has not pitched since June 19 because of elbow inflammation, is expected to return 'very soon,' according to Roberts.
Right-hander Ben Casparius (shoulder) had a setback during his rehab, putting the remainder of his season in jeopardy.
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Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimThe Los Angeles Dodgers activated catcher Will Smith, Dalton Rushing, and pitcher Justin Wrobleski from the injured list on Tuesday.
ClaimInfielder Alex Freeland was added to the active roster. To make room, outfielder Alek Thomas was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City while catcher Ben Rortvedt was designated for assignment.
ClaimAlex Freeland batted .231 with three home runs and 19 RBIs in 72 games before he was optioned back to Triple-A in July when Kiké Hernandez was activated from the injured list.
ClaimRoberts said, 'Nothing’s going to happen until potentially Sunday, but I do think that there’s going to be a conversation that needs to be had this week about what the outlook is, and we haven’t had it yet.'
ClaimRight-hander Blake Treinen, who has not pitched since June 19 because of elbow inflammation, is expected to return 'very soon,' according to Roberts.
ClaimThe Dodgers activated Will Smith, Alex Freeland, Justin Wrobleski, and Dalton Rushing to the active roster, while optioning Alek Thomas and designating Ben Rortvedt for assignment.
ClaimIf Ohtani cannot pitch, Roberts conceded that Wrobleski would not start, and that it would be somebody from the minor leagues, with Emmet Sheehan or Gavin Stone as candidates.