New Dodgers Trade Rumors Reveal Impact of Shohei Ohtani, Will Smith Injuries on 2026 MLB Deadline

Injuries to Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter/pitcher Shohei Ohtani and catcher Will Smith are not expected to "have much impact" on the team's trade deadline plans, per Katie Woo of The Athletic.

"Sunday also brought unfavorable news regarding Shohei Ohtani and Will Smith. Ohtani will be out of the rotation indefinitely as the Dodgers continue to monitor left knee irritation that has pestered their two-way star since mid-June. Smith, who has been sidelined since early June with an inflamed disc in his neck, was shut down from all baseball activity over the All-Star break. The earliest he could return, per manager Dave Roberts, is mid-August.

"Still, according to multiple team sources familiar with the Dodgers' thinking, neither injury will have much impact on the team's trade deadline strategy. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not permitted to discuss the subject publicly."

Ohtani, who has won the American League or National League MVP in four of his last five seasons, is hitting .290 (.938 OPS) with 22 home runs and 60 RBI in 91 games. He's been sensational on the mound, though, registering a 1.79 ERA (0.95 WHIP) and 95 strikeouts across 14 starts (85.2 innings).

However, manager Dave Roberts told reporters Sunday (h/t ESPN's Jorge Castillo) that he will not make his next start on Wednesday against the Philadelphia Phillies due to irritation in his left knee, and that ailment would keep him off the mound indefinitely. He has not pitched since July 3. Ohtani remains in the batting lineup, however.

Smith has played just 52 games this year due to injury, hitting .249 (.720 OPS) with six home runs and 23 RBI. The three-time All-Star has been out since June 5 with an inflamed disc in his neck. Roberts told reporters (h/t Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register) that Smith is being shut down this week.

Roberts said Smith was experiencing pain in his neck during baseball activities, but that the hope is some rest will help him out.

"So then we felt that if he's inactive, it gives him a good chance to get all the inflammation out, the soreness out, the pain, increase flexibility – all of it. To then give him a fighting chance to work his way back," Roberts said. "I think that trying to do everything, even at a lesser dosage, just wasn't feasible."

Roberts added that he wasn't certain when Smith would return, "but we are certainly counting on it" being this season.

Barring a monumental collapse, the 63-37 Dodgers should coast to the NL West title. They are 11.5 games up on the second-place Arizona Diamondbacks with 62 games left. They have the best record in baseball, a half-game up on the Milwaukee Brewers on that front.

Needless to say, there isn't any reason for L.A. to press the panic button right now in July when it appears the Dodgers will coast to the postseason.

L.A. has endured numerous injuries to the starting rotation this year, however. Blake Snell has been on the IL since May 15 (loose bodies in left elbow), and Tyler Glasnow has been out since early May (lower back spasms).

Ohtani's indefinite absence adds another concern to a shorthanded staff. Woo provided more insight.

"The Dodgers, per multiple team sources, are comfortable patching their rotation over the next few weeks. But given how much time Snell and Glasnow have already missed, it would be fair to question both starters' health. The Dodgers, however, feel they have enough depth, even with River Ryan still on the IL in the minors with a hamstring injury. Depending on how Snell and Glasnow progress through the end of July, trading Eric Lauer — especially with several teams looking to fortify their rotations — remains a possibility."

In the meantime, the Dodgers hope to maintain their standing atop baseball as they continue their Eastern road trip and visit the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets for three games apiece.