Dalton Rushing is on the 10-day injured list for a second time in just over a month’s span due to a right elbow issue, and now catching in 2026 is ruled out.
When Rushing was sidelined Aug. 3, the injury designation was right elbow inflammation. An MRI revealed Rushing had a slightly torn UCL in his right elbow, but the Dodgers envisioned him returning this season even if limited to just hitting.
Rushing was more optimistic about catching at some point this year, and had been in the midst of a throwing progression. But that led to getting scratched from the lineup on Saturday and another IL stint, this time due to right elbow discomfort.
It came hours after Rushing was seen playing catch on the field.
“More of the same,” Roberts said of Rushing’s latest MRI. “He’s not going to swing for a few days. And then get him back up, building up to the swing progression. And then at that point in time, he could take some at-bats on a rehab assignment, and then we’ll see where we’re at in 11 days.”
Given that the Dodgers aren’t planning on putting Rushing behind the plate for the rest of this year, postseason included, Roberts doesn’t anticipate a second attempt at a throwing progression.
Rushing’s current stint on the injured list was backdated to Sept. 5, which made Sept. 15 the earliest point he can be activated. Eliezer Alfonzo was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City to keep three catchers on the roster, which gives the Dodgers some flexibility to use Will Smith and Hunter Feduccia as a pinch-hitter when either doesn’t start.
Does Dalton Rushing need Tommy John surgery?
Given the nature of a torn UCL, there has been some expectation Rushing will eventually need to undergo Tommy John surgery. He recently downplayed that probability and it’s a sentiment Roberts aligned with in some regard.
“I don’t think so,” answered Roberts when asked if surgery was in Rushing’s future. “Again, I think for us, for Dalton, it’s just more of we’ll get through this year, build up the hitting, and then kind of see where the offseason takes us.”
There is little lost for Rushing or the Dodgers, as delaying a possible surgery this late in the year won’t have much impact on next season.
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