Smith, Rushing, Wrobleski Return as Dodgers Fall 13-8 to Cardinals

Starting catcher Will Smith and pitcher Justin Wrobleski returned from the injured list Tuesday as the Dodgers lost 13-8 to St. Louis.

The Los Angeles Dodgers activated starting catcher Will Smith, backup Dalton Rushing, and pitcher Justin Wrobleski from the injured list on Tuesday, September 2, 2026. In their return game, the Dodgers suffered a 13-8 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. Smith, who had been sidelined since June 6 with a neck injury, finished the night 1-for-5 with two RBIs and one run scored. Wrobleski, returning from left forearm inflammation, pitched two innings out of the bullpen, allowing three runs—two earned—on two hits while striking out four batters. Shohei Ohtani went 1-for-2 with two runs and was hit by a pitch, though he remained in the game despite his offensive production recently declining alongside the rest of the starting lineup.

Roster Expansions and Pitching Updates

Active major league rosters expanded from 26 to 28 players on Tuesday, facilitating the return of these key contributors and the addition of infielder Alex Freeland. To create space, the Dodgers optioned outfielder Alek Thomas to Triple-A and designated catcher Ben Rortvedt for assignment. Freeland, appearing in his third stint with the club this season, started at second base and batted ninth. Before this call-up, Freeland hit .231 with three home runs and 19 RBIs in 72 MLB games, while posting five homers and 26 RBIs in 38 minor league appearances. Closer Edwin Díaz also progressed toward a return by pitching a simulated inning on Tuesday, with plans for another live session before a formal rehab assignment begins.

Smith and Rushing’s Statistical Impact

Prior to his neck injury, Will Smith maintained a .249 batting average with six home runs and 23 RBIs across 52 games for the NL West leaders. The three-time All-Star prepared for his return with five rehab starts at Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he hit .250 with two doubles and one home run. Manager Dave Roberts indicated Smith will start one more time during the current three-game series. Dalton Rushing, who was sidelined August 3 with a right arm injury, returns to a pinch-hitting role. Rushing has appeared in a career-high 74 games this year, batting .253 with 12 home runs and 36 RBIs. Roberts noted that while Rushing is a threat to hit the ball out of the park or take a walk, it is not yet certain if he will catch before the postseason starts.

Wrobleski and Ohtani Outlook

Justin Wrobleski, an All-Star left-hander, holds an 11-5 record with a 3.65 ERA this season. Before his activation, he made one rehab appearance for Oklahoma City, striking out two and allowing one run in 1 1/3 innings. Roberts observed that Wrobleski struggled with being behind in the count during Tuesday's performance, leading to hard contact. Meanwhile, the team expects to have a conversation this week regarding Shohei Ohtani’s potential return to the mound. Ohtani has not pitched since early July due to issues with his left knee and right biceps. The 25-year-old Rushing expressed confidence in the current plan to build up his catching repetitions over the next two weeks to help the team win as the final month of the season begins.