Dodgers Interview: Dalton Rushing on Staying Ready for Whatever October Has in Store
LOS ANGELES — Coming off a solid last few games, Dalton Rushing isn’t waiting for his name to show up on the card. He’s treating every day like he’s catching nine.
“I’m back there more. I’m working with these guys more and I feel more comfortable. Every pitch, every at-bat, every inning with relievers, everything just feels ten times more comfortable. I think we’re in a good spot. I think we’re ready to take on the challenges in front of us.”
No promises from the manager. No problem. “Dave hasn’t mentioned anything to me or Ben about when to expect to play. I think that’s a good thing. As a player, you should show up to the yard every day ready to play. Whether you think you’re starting or you might come in during the fifth or sixth, the best way to approach it is showing up ready.”
Ask him about the arms and he goes straight to the job description. “We call them bullpen dogs for a reason. They did their job last year and we expect the same thing out of them every year. It doesn’t really matter who’s out there. I know the front office will do the best job of putting the guys we need in the bullpen and putting together the best rotation to help us win. From there it’s our job as catchers to call the game, read the moments, and help this team win games.”
That’s the catcher in him talking. Preparation. Game flow. Owning the pitches that matter in the sixth and eighth, not just the first.
When asked about Shohei Ohtani’s role, Rushing kept it short. “I can’t answer that. That’s above my pay grade,” he joked. “I don’t know what his role is going to be. I know it’s Shohei Ohtani. It’s going to be a great role regardless. He’s going to do what he does and he’s going to help us win every single game we possibly can.”
The “wild card” in all this is Will Smith. If the clutch backstop is activated for Tuesday, that puts the Dodgers with an extra catcher in the dugout. However, they might decide to carry three catchers until Smith is 100% healed. Dave Roberts floated that as a possiblity in Monday’s presser. Whatever the case, Dalton Rushing knows the assignment.
Be ready. Call a smart game. Help the staff win the leverage innings. Rushing sounds like he’s already there. If his number comes up, the Dodgers are handing the mask to a catcher who knows exactly what his night needs to look like.
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