Despite initial optimism, Will Smith now possibility for Dodgers injured list

PITTSBURGH –– What started as a supposedly minor neck issue for Dodgers catcher Will Smith may now be on the verge of landing him on the injured list.For a third-straight game on Tuesday, Smith was out of the Dodgers’ lineup because of neck stiffness. And after initially downplaying the severity of the injury, manager Dave Roberts acknowledged that it “is more of a possibility” that the three-time All-Star now lands on the IL.“He just still doesn’t feel right,” Roberts said.“I don’t know what the thought is or where we’re at on the imaging piece of it.

So it’s still a day-to-day situation.But for me, just talking to him, talking to the trainers, I would like him to go through a full day [of pregame work] before he plays.

So that would probably take tomorrow off the table.  And then we’ll kind of go from there.”Smith was initially scratched from the Dodgers’ lineup on Saturday, after his neck discomfort “came out of nowhere,” according to Roberts.Initially, the team’s hope was that he would return Sunday.When that didn’t happen, the belief was that Monday’s off day would give him time to feel better.

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By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Never miss a story Alas, even after taking swings and playing catch on Tuesday afternoon in Pittsburgh –– where the Dodgers are opening a three-game series against the Pirates –– Smith was still not back to 100%.The clock is now ticking on the Dodgers to make an IL decision, as the minimum 10-day stint can only be backdated three days. “We’re starting to talk about that,” Roberts said.Either way, the Dodgers will have to hope the injury doesn’t continue to linger.Hailing a taxiIn other potential roster news on Tuesday, the Dodgers had two new pitchers in their clubhouse.Minor-...