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Things are starting to look better for the Los Angeles Dodgers as they begin their series against the San Francisco Giants Friday amid a four-game win streak.
More news: Dodgers Officially Release Right-Hander Pitcher
The Dodgers have a three-game lead over the San Diego Padres in the NL West, but the lineup is still missing one of its most consistent hitters this season: catcher Will Smith
Smith was scratched from Wednesday’s lineup with discomfort in his right hand. It’s certainly cause for concern as the All-Star sustained a bone bruise in his right hand just last week.
The injury caused Smith to miss five games and he was able to return to the lineup Tuesday. However, Smith’s hand began swelling up following his pre-game work and he was a late scratch.
Manager Dave Roberts provided the latest update on Smith, expressing optimism that the 30-year-old will play in Friday’s series opener at Oracle Park.
“Obviously we’re off tomorrow. We’ll manage it tomorrow with the treatment and then on Friday we’ll make a decision on whether he plays,” Roberts said. “Not overly concerned but we’ve got to get that swelling under wraps.
“We thought that he was going to be able to play tonight. But with the setback a little bit, we’ve got to make sure it doesn’t happen again. I’m not sure. I don’t want to say he’s not going to play Friday but we’ve got to be pretty confident he can catch two out of three if he’s going to play on Friday.”
Smith emerged as the Dodgers’ most consistent hitter this season, averaging .296 this season with 17 home runs, 61 runs batted in and an OPS of .902. With 16 games remaining in the season, LA will need to muster as many wins as possible in order to enter October on a high note.
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Photo Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images
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