Dodgers Roster Moves and Injury Updates: Phillips, Smith, Gonzalez and More

Dave Roberts and the Dodgers were busy on Saturday morning in Chicagoland. Here's a look at the latest goings on with the LA baseball club.

First, the team announced a roster move following Friday's 13-0 blowout loss. Journeyman reliever Jake Reed has been designated for assignment and 2020 World Series champion Victor Gonzalez makes his return to the active roster for the first time since August of 2021.

#Dodgers DFAed Jake Reed in order to add Victor Gonzalez today
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) April 22, 2023

Reed allowed 6 runs while recording just 2 outs in a shelling by the Cubs on Friday. The right-hander wasn't put in the best position to succeed after flying out of Albuquerque, NM before 6 AM then eventually getting to Chicago an hour before game time and being called on to pitch in the fourth inning of the game.

What's the Latest on Evan Phillips?

Next, Evan Phillips may be away from the team for longer than expected. The reliever is out on paternity leave and might not rejoin the team in Chicago, which would be technically longer than the three days allotted for paternity leave. The hope and expectation is that he would be back for the start of the three game series in Pittsburgh on Tuesday.

Where is Will Smith?

The curious case of Will Smith keeps getting a bit worse. After taking a handful of foul balls off the mask in San Francisco 10 days ago, Smith was placed on the 7-day concussion IL.

The original hope was that he could rejoin the active roster for the start of the Chicago series. Then that became maybe during the Chicago series. And now it's looking likely that he won't be back on this road trip at all.

A return during this road trip doesn’t look likely for #Dodgers catcher Will Smith. There’s a chance he needs a small rehab assignment once he starts feeling better. They’re going to be careful given how delicate head injuries are.
— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) April 22, 2023

Ahead of Saturday afternoon's game, manager Dave Roberts said Will was a bit better than yesterday but the team will continue to exercise caution with the star catcher.

#Dodgers with Will Smith in the starting lineup -- 10 games, .248 team BA, 6 runs per game, 6-4 record
Without Smith in the lineup -- 11 games, .204 team BA, 4.1 runs per game, 4-7 record
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) April 22, 2023

The Dodgers currently sit at 10-11 on the season and are struggling to find consistency up and down the roster. After Friday's loss, Dave Roberts was left searching for an explanation.

"I think it’s been two weeks since we won back-to-back games. Each game it’s a different reason. ... I don’t really know the reason for it. I know I’ve said that more times than I care to in the first month of the season. Right now, that’s all you can do."

“It’s been two weeks since we’ve won back-to-back games…I don’t really know the inconsistencies and the reason for it.” Dave Roberts on the #Dodgers start of the season. pic.twitter.com/QdwaLibAnt
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) April 21, 2023

It takes one win to get back on track and two to make a winning streak. Let's hope they can get that started today.