The Los Angeles Dodgers made the surprising decision to activate Dalton Rushing from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday with rosters expanding to 28 players. The Dodgers also reinstated Will Smith after his extensive battle with neck inflammation, making Ben Rortvedt a casualty of the roster crunch.
For the time being, Rushing will not see the field outside of pinch-hit opportunities. A lack of consistent at-bats was an issue for the 25-year-old last season, and he has not been used much as a pinch-hitter in his career.
But Dodgers manager Dave Roberts believes the second-year player is more than capable of contributing off the bench in the meantime.
“It’s a simple swing, not a lot of moving parts. I think that he’ll be prepared, and it is my job to get him repetitions to see how it looks and get him used to coming off the bench,” Roberts began.
“To your question, he hasn’t done this much at all. I also think he’s a threat, he hits the ball out of the ballpark. So hit the ball out of the ballpark, a simple swing, and he can take a walk. And I think that there’s something to that threat.”
The previous indication from Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was that the team didn’t know if Rushing would be capable of catching this season.
The backstop had been out since Aug. 3 because of a slight tear in the UCL in his right elbow. Rushing is eager to return at full capacity, but Roberts is still hesitant to allow him to attempt high-intensity throws.
“I’m not quite there yet on being totally bullish on him getting back. I’m hopeful. But I think that would be just great if we can get him there,” Roberts said.
“I like where his head is at, though. He’s working hard to get there, but the controlled rehab is different than a snap throw, throwing out at second base, and that’s different, but he’s getting there.”
In the meantime, Hunter Feduccia is still in place to fill the backup catcher role. The Dodgers are using the expanded roster to their advantage because devoting a roster spot to a bench player who can only serve as a designated hitter would otherwise not be feasible from a logistics standpoint.
Dalton Rushing’s pinch-hitting stats
Rushing has been called on as a pinch-hitter only 20 times in his career thus far. The most recent was Thursday night, when Rushing was sent up to bat for Alex Call in the sixth inning. Rushing then remained in the game as the designated hitter and received another at-bat.
In his career, Rushing is 2-for-16 with one RBI, three walks and seven strikeouts as a pinch-hitter.
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