The Los Angeles Dodgers put Dalton Rushing on the 10-day injured list due to right elbow inflammation and called up Chuckie Robinson from Triple-A Oklahoma City before Monday’s game against the Chicago Cubs.
Rushing’s stint on the injured list comes one day after he was scratched from the lineup with what the Dodgers deemed “minor arm irritation.” Manager Dave Roberts said after the loss that Rushing was considered day-to-day. An MRI wound up revealing the full extent of Rushing’s elbow injury.
Rushing’s injury means the Dodgers are now without their top two catchers. Will Smith hasn’t played since June 5 because of an inflamed disc in his neck and still is estimated to be at least three weeks from returning.
During his time as the starting catcher, Rushing has hit .244/.314/.384 with nine doubles, five home runs, 18 RBI and a 112 wRC+ over 41 games.
Facing multiple weeks of not having Smith or Rushing available, the Dodgers addressed their catching depth before the trade deadline by reuniting with both Ben Rortvedt and Hunter Feduccia.
“Biggest thing was to make sure we felt like we had coverage with both Will and Rush out,” Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said. “With Feddy and Rort, both guys have familiarity with our staff. It was really important for them to come in and fit right into our clubhouse.”
Chuckie Robinson filling in
Robinson is up with the Dodgers for a second time this season. His first stint came when the Dodgers put Smith on the injured list June 11.
Robinson remained with the Dodgers until July 4, when he lost the backup catcher role to Eliezer Alfonzo. Robinson was then designated for assignment two days later as a corresponding move to the Dodgers adding Carlos Duran onto their 40-man roster.
Duran remained with the Comets at the time, and was traded to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for Kris Bubic before the deadline on Monday.
Robinson cleared waivers after getting DFA’d and accepted an outright assignment to the Minor Leagues rather than elect free agency. The 31-year-old is 2-for-23 with one RBI over eight games with the Dodgers so far this season.
He likely will get removed from the Dodgers roster on Tuesday when Rortvedt joins the team.
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