Dodgers Notes: Plan for Rushing, Pitching Injury Updates, Edman & Hernández Recovery

LOS ANGELES—It has been a busy day in Los Angeles, California, for the Dodgers, who made a massive roster move, calling up top catching prospect Dalton Rushing and DFAing long-time veteran catcher Austin Barnes.

However, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts also gave many key updates on Blake Snell, Emmet Sheehan, Roki Sasaki, Tommy Edman, Teoscar Hernández, and their plans for their new rookie catcher.

Plan for Rushing

Today, May 14th, the Los Angeles Dodgers called up top catching prospect Dalton Rushing from Triple-A OKC and opted to DFA veteran Austin Barnes as the corresponding roster move.

The 24-year-old catcher had been hitting above .300 at Triple-A Oklahoma City while splitting time in the field between catching, his primary position, and also taking reps at first base, left field, and at DH. He had an OPS of .938.

However, Rushing’s role on the Major League roster was still fuzzy, even with Barnes’ DFA, as a prospect of his hitting potential wouldn’t possibly get regulated to a backup role, would he?

Well, no, according to Dave Roberts, who stated that Rushing will serve as the team’s new primary backup catcher to Will Smith, getting around two starts per week and being a left-handed hitting option off the bench.

Roberts stated that while Rushing had experience in left field, first base, and designated hitter, the team has no plans to play him anywhere but behind the plate.

Roberts continued, stating the Dodgers viewed Rushing’s development at this stage as benefiting from being in a big-league environment and working with the Dodgers’ Major League pitching staff rather than getting everyday playing time in the minor leagues.

While Roberts also admitted that getting fewer at-bats has a downside, he and the front office believe that this move is best for the team right now.

Pitching Injury Updates

At Dodger Stadium today was right-handed pitcher Emmet Sheehan who has contiued his rehab from Tommy John surgery last season.

Sheehan threw live at-bats to Dodgers utilityman Tommy Edman, right fielder Teoscar Hernández, and Dave Roberts, who was confident that Sheehan would make an impact for the club this summer.

Roberts stated that Sheehan’s delivery and health “has been fantastic. There is still no set timetable for his return, but the team expects him to make an impact this summer.

Roberts continued that Sheehan is sitting around 95-97 MPH, and with the Dodgers having starting rotation issues already this season, he will be a viable option after his minor league rehab assignment.

Left-handed starter Blake Snell was cleared to begin his throwing program today after meeting with team doctors this week in Los Angeles.

Snell was initially set to start throwing again this past Friday when the team was in Arizona, but had to cancel due to left shoulder discomfort.

Snell was able to throw from 60 feet today and will look to ramp up his throwing program and return to the mound sooner rather than later for the Dodgers, who are desperate for help.

Lastly, according to Dave Roberts, Japanese rookie starter Roki Sasaki does not plan to have any medical intervention in his right shoulder but will be shut down from throwing for a while.

Sasaki, 23, was just placed on the 15-day injured list prior to the start of the series against the Athletics due to right shoulder impingement, an injury that can be traced back to the righties time in the NPB last season.

Edman & Hernández Won’t Return Until after this Weekend

According to Dave Roberts, the Los Angeles Dodgers are not expected to activate utilityman Tommy Edman and right fielder Teoscar Hernández until after this weekend.

Edman, 30, has been out since April 30th after tweaking his ankle during the Miami Marlins series at Dodger Stadium.

Although Edman was eligible to be activated off the 10-day injured list this past Saturday, the Dodgers opted to hold off and not rush anything at Chase Field, which is on artificial turf.

Edman stated that his ankle was about eighty percent ready and that he has resumed baseball activities, including taking live at-bats against righty Emmet Sheehan.

Hernández, 32, has been sidelined since early May after leaving a game early with left groin tightness at Loan Depot Park in Miami, Florida.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts initially expected a lengthy injury list stint for the 2024 National League All-Star, but now Hernández is expected to be activated sooner than thought.

Like Edman, Hernández has resumed baseball activities and was seen sprinting around the infield grass before today’s game against the A’s and took another round of live at-bats against Sheehan.

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