Dalton Rushing has played 27 games with the Los Angeles Dodgers since getting called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City on May 14 for his MLB debut.
Rushing earned the promotion after an impressive start to the season with the Comets, batting .308/.424/.514 with five doubles and five home runs. It was an extension of Rushing’s impressive 2024 season that saw him named the Branch Rickey Minor League Player of the Year.
Taking over the backup catcher job behind Will Smith has been Rushing’s main role with the Dodgers this season as a way to keep the veteran fresh throughout the year. That in turn has limited Bushing’s playing time. To the Dodgers’ credit, their strategy has been a massive success as Smith is in the midst of a career season.
Given that Smith under contract through the 2033 season after signing an extension last year, the conundrum of Rushing’s role expanding isn’t getting easier any time soon. The Dodgers continuing the status quo is a valid option, but the opportunity cost of using a talented player like Rushing in this way seems a bit high.
However, the Dodgers are rumored to be scouting prospects in the Boston Red Sox farm system as a prelude to a potential Rushing trade.
But prior to that, it was reported that the Dodgers aren’t exactly motivated to pursue or complete a trade involving Rushing, according to Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic:
It’s easy to interpret the Dodgers’ recent promotion of rookie Dalton Rushing as the possible prelude to a trade. But even though Hunter Feduccia could slide into the backup catcher’s role, the Dodgers are not inclined to move Rushing, and certainly not for a short-term fix.
It’s also believed Dodgers prospect Alex Freeland is another player the organization would like to keep at the deadline, per Fabian Ardaya of the Athletic:
Elsewhere, Alex Freeland, who has a .788 OPS in his first 422 plate appearances with Triple-A Oklahoma City, likely falls in the same bucket.
Beyond a potential deal with the Red Sox, the Dodgers are said to have looked into several relievers, including the Baltimore Orioles’ Félix Bautista, Ryan Helsley of the St. Louis Cardinals, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ David Bednar and Emmanuel Clase of the Cleveland Guardians.
Whatever moves the Dodgers do end up making, they have plenty of talent in their highly-touted farm system to pull off a trade without including Rushing if that is their wish.
Dalton Rushing getting comfortable with role
Part of the challenge Rushing has encountered with the Dodgers is only receiving a couple of starts per week as opposed to being in the lineup every day with Oklahoma City. He has sought out extra work as a way to prepare for his limited starts with the Dodgers.
The Dodgers have previously experimented with Rushing as an outfielder, but they have been adamant that they view him as a catcher long-term.
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