Dodgers Place Dalton Rushing on IL After Elbow Setback Ends Catching Hopes
The Los Angeles Dodgers placed catcher Dalton Rushing on the 10-day Injured List before Sunday’s series finale against the Washington Nationals, backdating the move to Saturday after the 25-year-old experienced renewed discomfort in his right elbow during a throwing session. The transaction effectively ends any realistic chance of Rushing returning behind the plate this season, though the organization has not ruled out deploying him exclusively as a hitter once he is cleared to resume baseball activities.
UCL Tear Management Takes a Turn
Rushing has been managing a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow since early August. Rather than shutting him down immediately, the Dodgers activated him when rosters expanded in September with the intention of using his bat while keeping him out of the catching rotation. The club was simultaneously ramping up his throwing program on the side, hoping he might eventually progress enough to resume defensive duties.
That plan unraveled Saturday when Rushing, having advanced to throwing from 90 to 100 feet, felt his elbow bark again. Subsequent imaging revealed no additional structural damage, offering a measure of relief, but the setback forced a strategic pivot. The team will now take a more cautious approach: Rushing is expected to pause his swinging progression for several days before restarting a hitting-only buildup. If that goes smoothly, a minor-league rehab assignment could follow to get him back into game action before the regular season concludes.
Offensive Production and Postseason Utility
Despite the injury, Rushing has delivered promising offensive numbers in his second major-league campaign. Across his time with Los Angeles this year, he has slashed .249 with 12 home runs, 36 RBIs, and a .798 OPS. His brief return earlier this month yielded no hits in five plate appearances, and he will now need to rebuild his timing at the plate from a standstill.
Should his elbow respond well to the hitting-only workload, Rushing could still provide a left-handed power option off the bench or as a designated hitter down the stretch and into the postseason—a valuable asset as the Dodgers navigate roster construction for October.
Long-Term Outlook and Surgical Considerations
The bigger picture remains unsettled. Surgery is still a possibility, though the club may defer that decision until the offseason. Much will depend on how Rushing tolerates swinging a bat without further aggravating the ligament. For now, the priority is stabilizing the elbow and preserving his long-term viability as a two-way catcher.
Roster Move: Eliezer Alfonzo Recalled
To fill the vacant roster spot, Los Angeles recalled catcher Eliezer Alfonzo from Triple-A Oklahoma City. The Dodgers will carry three catchers for the time being, providing additional flexibility behind the plate while Rushing works through his latest rehabilitation phase.
Rushing’s path to catching in 2024 has closed, but a role as a pure hitter remains alive if his recovery stays on track. The next week will be critical in determining whether he can contribute to a postseason push in any capacity.