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Dodgers' Dalton Rushing: Will not play outfield in 2026
Rotowire
Manager Dave Roberts recently said that Rushing will not see playing time in the outfield this season, Aaron Coloma of Dodgers Nation reports.
After GM Brandon Gomes indicated over the winter that Rushing could get outfield reps again this season, Roberts has shut that down. "Outfield is not on the table," Roberts said. Rushing will serve as Will Smith's backup and could get some time at first base if Freddie Freeman needs a day off. It would seem Rushing may only get into a couple games a week to begin the season as a part-time player.
Dodgers' Dalton Rushing: Reps in outfield not ruled out
Rotowire
Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes indicated during last week's GM Meetings that the team hasn't ruled out giving Rushing some reps in the outfield, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Rushing has made a total of 32 starts in left field in the minors, but 37 of his 38 starts with the Dodgers in 2025 were at catcher and the other came at first base. Catcher and first base remain blocked with the big club, but the left-field job with the Dodgers is open. While it seems unlikely the Dodgers would commit to Rushing as their primary left fielder, the position offers the 24-year-old a potential path to playing time. Rushing struggled in a reserve role with the Dodgers this season, slashing just .204/.258/.324 with a 37.4 percent strikeout rate over 53 regular-season tilts.
Rushing is not on the Dodgers' NLCS roster, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.
Rushing was on the wild-card and NLDS rosters and struck out as a pinch hitter in his lone plate appearance. With Will Smith fully recovered from his fractured hand and no longer under any workload restrictions, the team no longer has a need for a third catcher. Ben Rortvedt will back up Smith, and reliever Ben Casparius has taken Rushing's spot on the roster.
Rushing went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Mariners.
Rushing went deep off Logan Gilbert in the fifth inning to open the scoring. Since returning from a shin injury Sept. 16, Rushing has gone 5-for-19 (.263) over seven games while sharing the catching duties with Ben Rortvedt. Rushing is now slashing .200/.255/.314 with four homers, 24 RBI, 14 runs scored and four doubles over 52 big-league games this season. Rortvedt has been steady while hitting .244 in September, and as the more experienced catcher, he may continue to see a starting role in the postseason unless Will Smith (hand) is able to return.
The Dodgers reinstated Rushing (shin) from the injured list Tuesday.
A bone bruise in Rushing's right shin caused him to move to the injured list Sept. 6, but he'll return to the active roster following a minimum-length stay. Los Angeles will deploy Ben Rortvedt behind the dish Tuesday against the Phillies, but with Will Smith (hand) set to remain sidelined until at least Saturday, Rushing could make a handful of starts this week.
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