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Dodgers Roundup: LA Calls Up Outfielder, Will Smith Good News, Shohei Ohtani Nearing Return

Catch up on all the latest Dodgers news and notes.
Gabe Smallson|
Jun 24, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) looks on before delivering a pitch against the Minnesota Twins in the first inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
Jun 24, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) looks on before delivering a pitch against the Minnesota Twins in the first inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

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Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Pittsburgh Pirates, 4-3, on Saturday night and improved to 79-51 on the year.

Two-time Cy Young award winner Tarik Skubal dominated with 11 strikeouts across seven innings to earn his first win in a Dodgers uniform.

On the offensive side of things, Max Muncy enjoyed a 3-for-3 night at the plate and Alek Thomas went 1-for-4 with an RBI single in the fourth. Amid a brutal slump, Kyle Tucker stepped to the plate and hit the deciding single in the fifth inning to bring in two runs and take a lead that LA would not give up.

Hours before the eventual victory, the Dodgers unfortunately had to place center fielder Andy Pages on the injured list after being hit by a pitch on Friday night that fractured his hand. In a corresponding move, Thomas was called up and wasted no time trying to fill the enormous shoes of the All-Star.

In other news, there is some good news involving Will Smith as he slowly works to return to the diamond. With only so much time left in the regular season, manager Dave Roberts provided the latest on Smith and made it sound like a familiar All-Star will be behind the plate come postseason.

“At the end of the day there’s not much of a calendar left. He’s going to play in the postseason. So I think it’s also helpful knowing that there’s no other alternative. He’s going to prepare his mind and body to get ready to go," he said.

Finally, superstar Shohei Ohtani is nearing a return to the pitching mound after having last pitched back in early July. He was on the mound at Dodger Stadium before Saturday's game throwing a 30-pitch live bullpen session.

All 30 pitches were thrown to Smith as a hitter, another great sign for LA.

Here’s all the latest Dodgers news and stories (click the headline for the full article):

Dodgers Call Up Ex-Top Prospect Outfielder to Replace Andy Pages After Injury

Dodgers Get Good News on Will Smith Return Timeline as Final Month of Season Nears

Why The Dodgers’ Support for a Salary Cap Suddenly Makes Sense: Analysis

Dodgers' Dave Roberts Calls Out Manager of the Year Voters for Disrespect

Dodgers Lineup vs Pirates: Alek Thomas and Ben Rortvedt Starting

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Gabe Smallson
GABE SMALLSON

Gabe Smallson is a sportswriter based in Los Angeles with a focus in sports and entertainment content. Gabe has previously worked at Newsweek and Dodgers Nation. He graduated from San Francisco State University in 2020 and received his Masters of Science at the University of Southern California in 2025.

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