LOS ANGELES, CA—Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had positive news on catcher Dalton Rushing as he works his way back from the injured list.
“Dalton is doing well. Went out and threw to bases, hit today. So, I think tomorrow he’s going to head out on a rehab assignment…. So the plan would be—get him back here at some point in time next week.”
The Injury in Focus
Rushing landed on the 10-day IL with a right shin contusion after fouling a ball off his leg. The good news for both the Dodgers and Rushing was that imaging showed no fractures, just a painful bruise that needed time to heal. Roberts noted that the extra rest and recovery time has allowed the irritation to calm down, and now the rookie backstop is nearly ready to return.
Catching Picture Clears Up
The Dodgers’ catching depth looks more stable now. Will Smith returned to action today, slotting back into his starting role after his own brief absence. In a corresponding roster move, Chuckie Robinson was optioned out yesterday to make room for Max Muncy’s return. That leaves Ben Rortvedt as the current backup until Rushing is activated, which could happen as soon as next week if his rehab assignment goes smoothly.
Rushing’s Season at a Glance
Rushing’s rookie year has been a mixed bag offensively. He’s batting just .190 with three home runs and 21 RBIs, and his .552 OPS shows he’s still adjusting to big-league pitching. Still, he’s shown flashes of power — none bigger than his three-run go-ahead homer on August 25 that helped the Dodgers avoid a sweep.
Before joining the Dodgers, Rushing was tearing it up in Triple-A, hitting .308 with five homers and 17 RBIs in 31 games, numbers that highlight why the club remains high on his long-term potential.
The Road Ahead
With Smith back and Rortvedt holding down the backup spot, the Dodgers can afford to be patient. But if Rushing continues progressing, he could be back in the lineup as soon as next week, giving the team another much-needed bat behind the plate as they fight for postseason positioning.
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