Smith said the ankle injury did not factor into his drop-off, but the Dodgers say otherwise: "There’s been some nagging stuff."

Veteran Austin Barnes has held down the fort in the meantime. Smith's absence has also allowed young Dalton Rushing, who is currently the No. 30 prospect in MLB's top 100 rankings, to get more time behind the plate. The 29-year-old is ready for in-game action now, though.

There is no concern about Will Smith, who returned to game action on Friday against the Angels, missing the start of the regular season on March 18.

The catcher says the discomfort in his left ankle affects him mainly when running, but might have assisted in his second-half hitting slump last year