Dalton Rushing said on August 19, 2026 that he plans to return to the field in September as he recovers from a UCL tear. "The plan is for me to be on the field in September," Rushing said.
Rushing noted that a throwing progression will begin shortly as part of his ramp-up. "We are starting throwing progression very soon," he said. He added that his broader goal extends beyond a return date, stating he wants to "get ready to win some baseball games in October" as the Dodgers pursue the NL West. Rushing also described his recovery in positive terms, saying, "I'm progressing well. I feel good."
According to background details from the press conference, Rushing was recently placed on the injured list with what was described as a slight tear in the UCL and had been taking batting practice as part of his rehabilitation process.
Rushing credited Orel Hershiser, who mentored him, with shaping his understanding of his responsibilities behind the plate. He said Hershiser "helped me understand the importance of what role I play on the team behind the plate every night," and noted the two have discussed pitch mix and calling pitches together. Rushing also reflected on his growth since a difficult 2025 season, saying he has "learned from mistakes early on in the year." He added that he wants to set a better example for children watching him play, while maintaining that he does not believe he will lose his competitive edge on the field.
Rushing also described collecting signed memorabilia from Dodgers teammates, including Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani, for a Dodgers-themed room at his home. He mentioned owning rookie-signed items from both players as part of the collection. He recalled being moved during a visit to Legends Addict, where he took in Dodgers history and memorabilia, saying he wants to make his own collection room "as Dodger related as possible."
Rushing's recovery timeline points toward a return to catching duties by September, with the throwing progression serving as the next step in that process.