Dalton Rushing said August 30, 2026, that he is returning to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a bench and pinch-hitting role while completing a gradual throwing progression before resuming catching.
“I don't really have a set date of when I'm catching,” Rushing said, adding that his next steps will be determined by how his throwing feels. He expects to begin catching bullpen sessions in the next few days as he rebuilds his catching workload.
Rushing noted that he has progressed to throwing 90 to 100 feet and feels “very confident” about returning behind the plate. He said the Dodgers were comfortable activating him because “the swing never really took a break” while his throwing was restricted. Rushing stated that he had been hitting for roughly three weeks during the restriction and began playing catch roughly one week before the interview.
Rushing explained that pinch-hitting means taking the team's at-bat according to the game situation rather than pursuing a personal at-bat. His perspective changed after Will Smith went down, when Rushing observed the bench role Smith had held during the prior season. “I'd rather play this role than be watching for sure,” Rushing said, also joking, “I like playing baseball. I don't like watching baseball.”
Rushing praised Edwin Diaz, saying he looked sharp and had “probably the most refined” stuff of the past few months. Diaz pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers, while Rushing is returning to help the team.
Rushing said he hopes the temporary role lasts only a couple of weeks and that the next week or two is intended to build trust before he resumes catching. The Dodgers hope he will be fully built up to catch by the postseason, although roster circumstances could affect that plan; Rushing called it “plan A right now.”