The Los Angeles Dodgers have made crucial decisions regarding their roster amidst player injuries. On Sunday, the team placed catcher Dalton Rushing on the injured list due to discomfort in his right elbow. This decision came just before their series finale against the Washington Nationals. Catcher Eliezer Alfonzo Jr. was called up from the minors to provide depth.
Rushing, who recently returned from an elbow injury, was activated on September 1. However, he was not cleared to catch and was used mainly for his left-handed batting. After only five plate appearances, Rushing experienced another flare-up during pre-game throwing, leading to his removal from the lineup.
“He was doing some early throwing today, and it just kind of flared up,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts commented. “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 was diagnosed with a slightly torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. The Dodgers initially sidelined him from throwing for four to six weeks, allowing progression as a hitter. This latest setback postpones his return once more.
The timing coincides with uncertainty surrounding Shohei Ohtani, who has missed four straight games due to multiple injuries. Despite Ohtani’s absence, the Dodgers have not placed him on the injured list.
Manager Dave Roberts shared before Sunday’s game that they hope to give Ohtani another day of rest before potentially returning him to the lineup as a designated hitter.
With both Rushing and Ohtani out, the Dodgers entered Sunday’s game short-handed but aiming to complete a three-game sweep of the Nationals. Will Smith was scheduled to start as catcher, with Alfonzo available for support.