The Los Angeles Dodgers made a big decision about catcher Dalton Rushing's injured right elbow on Sunday. They are trying to postpone the same decision about Shohei Ohtani as long as possible. The Dodgers placed Rushing on the injured list with right elbow discomfort, retroactive to Sept. 5, and recalled catcher Eliezer Alfonzo Jr. from the minors before Sunday's series finale against the Washington Nationals.
Rushing had only recently returned from an elbow injury and was activated Sept. 1 without a rehab assignment. The 25-year-old was not yet cleared to catch, but the Dodgers hoped to use his left-handed bat off the bench while he continued his throwing progression. That plan lasted only five plate appearances.
Rushing went 0 for 4 with three strikeouts and was hit by a pitch before experiencing another flare-up in his elbow while throwing before Saturday's game. He was scratched from the lineup shortly before first pitch. "He was doing some early throwing today, and it just kind of flared up," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Saturday.
"I think we'll kind of put a pin in throwing for now … I still believe that hitting is on the table. We'll just see how it feels tomorrow." More news: Blue Jays Acquire Promising Relief Pitcher From Dodgers in Rare Trade Rushing previously was diagnosed with a slightly torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. The Dodgers had shut him down from throwing for four to six weeks while allowing him to continue progressing as a hitter.
His latest setback now puts his return on hold again. The timing is particularly significant because the Dodgers are already dealing with uncertainty surrounding Ohtani, who has missed four consecutive games entering Sunday's series finale against Washington. Ohtani was not in the lineup again, but the Dodgers did not place him on the injured list.
More news: Dodgers Make Surprising Promotion as Rosters Expand Around MLB Ohtani has been dealing with multiple injuries that have kept him out of the lineup, but the Dodgers have yet to make the same roster decision with their two-way star that they made with Rushing. His absence has nevertheless forced the club to adjust its lineup during a critical stretch of the season. Manager Dave Roberts said prior to Sunday's game that they would try to give Ohtani another day before re-inserting him into their lineup at DH.
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