Will Smith scratched from Dodgers’ lineup with stiff neck

Will Smith was scratched on Saturday with a stiff neck, but roberts-blasts-dodgers-rivals-231605424.html">manager Dave Roberts said he expected him to be back in the lineup the next day for the finale of the Dodgers‘ three-game series against the Angels.

“It came out of nowhere,” Roberts said. “Could have probably pushed him to play, but he was going to play one of the next two regardless.”

Smith missed time in late April with lower back problems and played only one of the Dodgers’ three games in Milwaukee a couple of weeks ago, but Roberts said he didn’t think Smith was any more worn down than he was in previous seasons.

A three-time All-Star, Smith is batting .249 this season.

Smith was replaced on Saturday by Dalton Rushing, whom Roberts described as being much better prepared to deal with a last-minute start than he was last year.

“It’s not even close,” Roberts said. “Dalton’s in the pitchers’ meetings. He and Will have a really good relationship, which I love.

“I’ll tell you, man, Dalton, when he’s catching, I feel very good that he’s in lockstep with the starting pitcher.”

In other injury news, third baseman Max Muncy returned to the lineup after sitting out a game to recover from a violent collision at first base with Ildelmo Vargas.

Also, Tyler Glasnow was moved to the 60-day injured list to create a place on the 40-man roster for triple-A right-hander Nick Frasso. Glasnow was placed on the 15-day injured list on May 8 with lower back spasms. He currently isn’t throwing.