Dodgers Manage Injuries as Rushing Hits IL, Ohtani Remains Sidelined

The Los Angeles Dodgers faced a tough call regarding catcher Dalton Rushing’s injured right elbow on Sunday. While addressing Rushing’s situation, the team is trying to delay a similar decision concerning Shohei Ohtani for as long as they can.

The Dodgers placed Rushing on the injured list due to right elbow discomfort, retroactively effective from September 5. Catcher Eliezer Alfonzo Jr. was called up from the minors to fill the gap before Sunday’s final game of the series against the Washington Nationals.

Rushing had only made a recent return from an elbow injury, getting activated on September 1 without undergoing a rehab assignment. At 25, he had not been cleared to catch, but the Dodgers aimed to utilize his left-handed batting off the bench while he kept progressing with his throwing.

This plan covered only five plate appearances. Rushing achieved a 0-for-4 with three strikeouts and got hit by a pitch before experiencing another elbow flare-up while throwing on Saturday. He was removed from the lineup just before the game’s start.

“He was doing some early throwing today, and it just kind of flared up,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Saturday. “I think we’ll kind of put a pin in throwing for now… I still believe that hitting is on the table. We’ll just see how it feels tomorrow.”

Rushing previously faced a slight tear in the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. The Dodgers stopped him from throwing for four to six weeks but let him continue improving his batting. His latest setback now delays his return further.

This situation is crucial because the Dodgers are already coping with uncertainty around Ohtani, who missed four straight games leading into Sunday’s series finale against Washington. Although absent from the lineup again, the Dodgers have yet to list him on the injured roster.

Ohtani has been struggling with several injuries that sidelined him, yet the Dodgers haven’t made the same roster move with him as they did with Rushing. His absence nonetheless required the team to alter its lineup during a key season period.

Manager Dave Roberts mentioned before Sunday’s game that they planned to wait another day before inserting Ohtani back into the lineup as designated hitter.

Facing shortages with Rushing unavailable and Ohtani still out, the Dodgers headed into Sunday aiming to finish a three-game sweep against the Nationals. Will Smith was chosen to start as catcher with Alfonzo adding backup strength at the position.