Dodgers Interview: Rushing finding his role on the big club

LOS ANGELES — For rookie catcher Dalton Rushing, Wednesday night’s 4–3 walk-off win over the Padres was more than just another team victory—it was a personal breakthrough.

In a 1–1 game in the fifth inning, Rushing came through with a two-run single that gave the Dodgers their first lead of the night. For a young player still adjusting to the unpredictable rhythm of part-time duty in the big leagues, the hit carried extra weight.

“Yeah, like you said, it’s been a grind,” Rushing admitted after the game. “It’s been an adjustment trying to understand not only my role but exactly how to be successful in my role. The results I got tonight obviously boost the confidence a little bit.”

Though Will Smith’s ninth-inning walk-off homer ultimately stole the spotlight, Rushing’s two-run single was the swing that put the Dodgers in position to win. “Main goal—we won a ballgame,” Rushing said. “Helped us win. And yeah, big swing by Will there at the end. That was a fun one to be a part of.”

Catching the Future

Rushing also got a front-row seat behind the plate for two key storylines of the night—Emmet Sheehan’s long-awaited return from Tommy John surgery and another strong outing from fellow rookie Justin Wrobleski.

“That was really my first time working in-game with Emmet,” Rushing said of Sheehan. “Being able to be on the same page and see some success out of him was obviously a big boost.”

Rushing and Wrobleski, meanwhile, have a longer history together. “I’ve caught Robo a good bit throughout the years,” he said. “Seeing him come in, do his thing, and hold them there—even though it got a little shaky at the end—was great. I mean, this offense, you find a way every night.”

Staying Ready

Though Rushing hasn’t had regular playing time, he’s finding ways to stay sharp. That preparation paid off on Wednesday when he delivered in a high-leverage moment.

“I’ve done multiple different things [between games],” he said. “It’s just trying to get as much in-game feel, live at-bats as possible. Not playing every day, it’s an adjustment… you’re not seeing a pitch come into the strike zone every day like I’m used to. So to see the results like I did tonight—it’s a really good feeling.”

Asked how his day-to-day has changed since joining the big league roster, Rushing described it as a shift in mindset.

“It’s more on the learning side now,” he explained. “It’s not just show up and play the game. It’s: understand how the game is played up here, get to know these pitchers, get to know situational baseball at the big-league level. I think it’s going to be really beneficial down the road.”

Learning to Embrace the Role

For most of his baseball life, Rushing has been an everyday starter. In Los Angeles, his job is different—but he’s learning to embrace it.

“It’s something I’ve never done before,” he said. “I’m used to being in the lineup every night. That’s not my role here, and I embrace that. I’m finding a way to be prepared and be ready whenever that opportunity comes.”

He also credited his teammates for helping him make the mental adjustment.

“They’ve all been right there by my side,” Rushing said. “Made sure that I understand: give yourself a little grace. This is not easy to do. Even some of the best have not had success in these roles. So their support—it means the world.”

On a night when the Dodgers leaned on youth, resilience, and depth, Rushing stood tall behind the plate and at it. And though he may not be in the lineup every night, performances like this prove he’s always ready to make it count.

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