LOS ANGELES – Will Smith made his first All-Star Game this season, carrying a .279 average and .889 OPS into the mid-summer break.
Since then, though, Smith has struggled to produce at the same level. Even as the Dodgers tore through August, Smith hit .255 with a .715 OPS during the month. Deep into July, he had walked more often than he struck out for the season. That trend has reversed since the start of August with Smith striking out 25 times and walking only seven times in his past 25 games.
A similar trend played out last season. Smith hit .272/.364/.478 in the first half, .246/.317/.448.
Fatigue from the wear and tear of catching would seem to be the obvious explanation for the gradual decline in offensive production over the course of the season. But the 28-year-old Smith insists he feels strong and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts doesn’t think that’s what is behind the “rut” Smith finds himself in.
“I’ve talked to him at length many times over. It’s not wear and tear. It’s not fatigue,” Roberts said.
Roberts acknowledged that Smith has had particular trouble recently hitting fastballs. But it’s an issue with his mechanics, not lost bat speed, Roberts said.
“I don’t default always to mechanics. But I do think in Will’s case there’s some things with his setup that I think has caused him to be late on the fastball,” Roberts said.
“I think that (fatigue) is something that’s an easy discussion point. There’s catchers across the league who catch as much as he does. He’s in his prime. He takes good care of himself. So I just don’t think wear and tear and fatigue is the reason he’s not on the fastball lately.”
Smith has started 89 games at catcher so far this season, tied for seventh in the majors. He was on the field Saturday taking early batting practice and Roberts gave him his 12th start of the season at DH.
“He’s still finding ways to get some hits,” Roberts said of Smith who was six for his past 18 going into Saturday’s game. “Every time he’s in there I still feel he’s going to take a good at-bat. But, yeah, …. if you’re hitting third in any lineup, production is important.”
HEALTH CARES
J.D. Martinez (groin/hamstring) took batting practice on the field again Saturday. He is scheduled to travel to Arizona Sunday, do some hitting at Camelback Ranch on Monday then join Triple-A Oklahoma City for a series in Sugar Land beginning Tuesday. He is on track to rejoin the Dodgers next weekend in Washington.
Joe Kelly (forearm) is scheduled to have another throwing season on Tuesday, possibly to hitters. He will join OKC for a rehab assignment at some point.
Michael Grove (lat) has been throwing at Camelback Ranch and could join OKC next week. He could be ready to rejoin the Dodgers during the series against the Nationals as well. Roberts said Grove will pitch out of the bullpen when he returns, not as a starter.
Yency Almonte (knee) is still experiencing soreness in his injured knee and has not been cleared to throw off a mound yet.
“Obviously time’s ticking. You can’t rush it,” Roberts said. “He can only do what his body will allow for. He’s getting better every day but honestly until he gets off a mound and starts facing hitters it’s just not going to be a real conversation.”
Blake Treinen’s rehab assignment with OKC remains on hold after he experienced shoulder soreness following his outing on Tuesday. Treinen’s chances of returning from last November’s shoulder surgery before the end of this season seem to be shrinking.
“I don’t know when he’s going to get back on the mound,” said Roberts who has called Treinen’s return this season “a long shot.”
“Obviously with where we’re at, what he’s gone through, it doesn’t look great.”
UP NEXT
Braves (RHP Charlie Morton, 14-10, 3.29 ERA) at Dodgers (RHP Bobby Miller, 8-3, 4.00 ERA), Sunday, 1:10 p.m. SportsNet LA, MLB Network, 570 AM