The Los Angeles Dodgers would like to be full strength tomorrow when they face the Cincinnati Reds for the first game of the Wild Card Round. Third baseman Max Muncy is available for the Dodgers tomorrow. The jury is still out, however, on catcher Will Smith, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic.
Report: Max Muncy Available for Dodgers in Wild Card Series, Will Smith TBD
Max Muncy said he will be available tomorrow. He’s taking live BP today.
Will Smith is going to swing today. If that feels good, he will face live pitching tonight. If he doesn’t, I’d imagine it’s not a good sign for his chances to be on the WC roster.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) September 29, 2025
The X Factor
Max Muncy has struggled with multiple injuries this season. He has missed significant time with a bone bruise on his knee and a strained oblique, causing him to miss roughly two months. Since his return to the lineup, he has been hit with multiple pitches. The latest apparently caused a lower-body injury of some sort. As a result, Muncy missed the last five games of the regular season. However, it appears that he will be in the lineup tomorrow. If he is at full strength, it is good news for the Dodgers. They are 20 games over .500 when he plays, and treading water when he is not. He is hitting close to a .300 batting average since the beginning of July and lengthens the Dodgers’ already explosive lineup.
A Definite Maybe
All-Star catcher Will Smith has been out of the lineup since the Dodgers’ trip to the East Coast. He took a foul ball off his right while behind the plate in Pittsburgh. A CT scan and X-rays came back negative, but the swelling persisted. This led to more tests and a trip to the injured list. Although eligible to return, Smith hasn’t played in a few weeks. Manager Dave Roberts said the Dodgers are “encouraged by his progress. Smith’s return is predicated on whether he can swing the bat effectively. If not, Smith will miss the first round and possibly the second round of the postseason.
Unsung Hero
If Smith is unable to play, Los Angeles will lean on Ben Rortvedt, who has been a revelation for the Dodgers since being acquired at the trade deadline. The starters have had the best ERA in baseball with him behind the plate. The rookie is also hitting near .300.
Healthy or not, the Dodgers begin their quest for another ring tomorrow.
Main Photo Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images
