Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing is returning on Friday, September 24th, manager Dave Roberts said, but only as a pinch-hitter.
Why Dalton Rushing is returning
Although Rushing cannot handle catching duties because he can’t throw, he still has the opportunity to swing, and the Dodgers will give him the runway to show what he can do.
Because of his early success this season, the team wants to give him a chance, Roberts explained, but he will get just three at-bats “at most,” Dodgers Nation’s Noel Sanchez reports.
“The circumstances of his situation are tough. What he’s done for us this year deserves consideration,” Roberts said to the media, including Dodgers Nation.
The catcher suffered right elbow inflammation and irritation that landed him on the injured list in early August.
He returned in early September, pinch-hit in four at-bats, then went back on the injured list after his throwing program set him back.
Now, he gets three more appearances to show that he can produce at the plate as he makes his case for a postseason roster spot.
Who is Rushing competing with for a roster spot?
Coming back from an elbow injury to continue swinging the bat is already hard enough, but now Rushing needs to deliver something comparable to De Paula in terms of performance.
Through 11 games in the big leagues, De Paula hit .323/.500/.545 with a 1.081 OPS. He made pitchers work, increased pitch counts, and gave his teammates plenty of pitches to look at.
As a lefty who the Dodgers treat strictly as a pinch hitter/designated hitter, De Paula fits the mold for LA.
Rushing, meanwhile, is just trying to do his best and see if he can get an opportunity.
“Just showing them that I can swing it, and it’s an option,” Rushing told The LA Times after a recent batting practice.
“I know that you kind of tie [the team’s] hands up when you can’t play defense. So, I’m not expecting anything… just continue to take at-bats and see where we go from there.”
