Dodgers Get Update on Will Smith, Joe Kelly After Camp Absences
By Jovan Alford
The defending NL West champion Los Angeles Dodgers will be looking to make a deep playoff run this season after making multiple big-time transactions, such as superstar slugger Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto to massive long-term contracts.
Along with two players, the Dodgers hope All-Star catcher Will Smith and reliever Joe Kelly can play their parts and execute when needed.
Fabian Ardaya reported on Monday that Smith and Kelly were both back at camp after initially reporting on Sunday that the two vets weren’t there because of personal reasons.
Both are back in camp today. https://t.co/Ex92ENHHvL
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) February 12, 2024
The 28-year-old Smith is coming off an All-Star season in 2023, slashing .261/.359/.438 with 19 home runs and 76 RBI. The veteran catcher was also solid behind the plate as he had a caught stealing percentage of 21%, which is slightly higher than the league average (19%).
Heading into this season, the Dodgers will be looking for Smith to help solidify the middle of the batting order, with opposing pitchers having to deal with Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Ohtani at the top.
Meanwhile, Kelly will be looking to build off what he did with the Dodgers after coming over in a trade last summer from the White Sox. The veteran reliever had a 1.74 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 10.1 innings with Los Angeles (11 appearances).
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