Dodgers Call on Dalton Rushing After Will Smith's Late Scratch
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith was a late scratch from Saturday’s lineup against the Los Angeles Angels due to neck stiffness, opening the door for rookie catcher Dalton Rushing to step in. Manager Dave Roberts confirmed the decision came shortly before game time, noting that Smith had been “grinding through a neck situation” likely caused by a bad pillow or a poor night’s sleep.
“I had him in there today and then talked to [trainer] Thomas Albert and he said that Will’s kind of grinding through a neck situation,” Roberts said Saturday. “I think a bad night’s sleep or a bad pillow. Not sure.”
Smith was initially in the lineup order before being replaced by Rushing, who has rapidly emerged as a reliable backup and occasional starter. The Dodgers, holding the second-best record in baseball, have leaned on Rushing’s development to provide depth without panic. “We could have probably pushed him to play, but he was going to play two out of three regardless,” Roberts added. “It’s nice that you can tap [Rushing] on the shoulder and give him the knock.”
Rushing’s Power Surge on Display
Rushing’s bat has been a key asset this season. On Sunday, he crushed a three-run home run to right-center field—his eighth of the year—bringing the Dodgers within two runs in the sixth inning. The homer continued a breakout campaign for the 25-year-old, who struggled in his rookie season in 2025, hitting just .204 with a .582 OPS. This year, those numbers have climbed to .264 with an .870 OPS, driven by a refined approach and serious power.
Why Rushing’s Growth Matters for Los Angeles
The young catcher’s rise is a product of the Dodgers’ player development system, often overshadowed by the team’s big free-agent acquisitions. Rushing, a former top prospect, now provides a luxury few teams enjoy: a backup catcher who can hit for power, play first base, and handle a pitching staff seamlessly.
Roberts emphasized that Rushing has earned the trust of the coaching staff and pitchers alike. “Dalton’s in the pitchers’ meetings. He and Will have a really good relationship, which I love. The pitchers, we’ve done a good job in sharing the load,” Roberts said. “It’s more seamless when he has to catch Yama [Yoshinobu Yamamoto]. I think the game has slowed down much more for Dalton.”
Defensive Improvement and ABS Training
Beyond his bat, Rushing has improved his defensive game. Known early in his career as a bat-first prospect, he has worked diligently on calling games and framing pitches. The Dodgers recently employed their Trajekt Arc pitching machine to help Rushing better recognize the strike zone for the league’s automated ball-strike (ABS) challenge system. The unique training tool replicates pitch releases and helps catchers train their eyes. Rushing correctly challenged two pitches in Yamamoto’s recent start, turning potential balls into strikeouts.
“It’s weird, because you don’t see the ball the whole way,” Rushing said of the machine. “It’s giving us an idea to train our eyes a little bit.”
Scrutiny and Support: Rushing’s Fiery Persona
Rushing’s intensity has drawn both attention and criticism. His on-field demeanor—talking smack, colliding with opponents, and playing with a “football mentality” as described by teammate Max Muncy—has sparked controversy, particularly after comments about the Colorado Rockies’ pitch-reading and a collision with San Francisco Giants outfielder Jung-Hoo Lee.
Muncy, a veteran leader in the clubhouse, publicly backed Rushing amid the scrutiny. “When he gets on the field, it’s a very football mentality. He might see red a little bit, but ultimately that’s what’s made him good,” Muncy told Foul Territory. “We like to let guys be who they are. We don’t want to change who they are.”
That support from the clubhouse mirrors the Dodgers’ broader culture of allowing players to embrace their personalities—a trend reflected across the league as teams prioritize authenticity over robotic conformity.
Broader Implications: Depth and Innovation
Rushing’s emergence reflects a larger shift for the Dodgers: the ability to weather injuries without losing production. With a six-man rotation that has kept pitchers like Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki on familiar rest schedules, the organization has managed to lose Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow to injury while maintaining one of the top pitching staffs in baseball. This depth, combined with innovations like the Trajekt Arc training system, positions Los Angeles as a model for sustainable success.
As Rushing fills in for Smith, his performance will be crucial in keeping the Dodgers atop the standings. If his continued growth at the plate and behind it is any indication, the team’s faith in their homegrown catcher is well placed.
For more on how Dodgers rookies are stepping up, see Cameron Brink Stands Firm After Aces Clash, Shines as WNBA's Rising Star. And for another story of young talent rising under pressure, check out Wimbledon 2026: French Open Finalist Chwalinska Faces Wild Card Fight as Serena Returns.
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