The Dodgers have brought Dalton Rushing back to the active roster for the final weekend, but the young catcher’s return is less about catching innings than earning a few more looks in a crowded postseason bench conversation. Rushing was activated from the 10-day injured list before Friday’s opener against the Giants at Oracle Park, with Alex Freeland sent to Triple-A in the corresponding move.
Key takeaways
- Rushing can hit but will not catch after a partial UCL tear in his right elbow.
- Manager Dave Roberts expects the 25-year-old to receive no more than three pinch-hit opportunities before the regular season ends.
- Josue De Paula remains a leading candidate for a left-handed bench role after a strong 11-game Major League audition.
- Hyeseong Kim could fit if Los Angeles prioritizes speed or late-inning defense over another bat.
- The Dodgers may carry 14 position players and 12 pitchers for a best-of-five NL Division Series.
Rushing gets one more chance after a disrupted summer
Rushing has barely had a chance to build momentum since injuring his elbow in August. He made only eight plate appearances after the start of that month, spending most of August on the injured list. He returned when September rosters expanded, then landed back on the IL after aggravating the injury during his throwing program.
That leaves him in an unusual spot: active with the club, available to hit, but unable to provide the catching flexibility that normally helps shape an October roster. Roberts acknowledged that it would be difficult to put Rushing on a postseason squad after only a handful of late pinch-hit trips.
Still, the Dodgers are not judging him solely on whatever happens during this final series. Rushing delivered a credible second Major League season, batting .249 with a .798 OPS and 12 home runs. Roberts said the club respects the body of work Rushing has already put together and believes it deserves a real place in the discussion.
For Rushing, the weekend is not likely to settle the matter by itself. It is more of a chance to be back in the dugout, take a few competitive at-bats and remind the club what its left-handed catcher-turned-bench bat has shown over the season.
De Paula, Kim and the shape of an October bench
Rushing’s competition is not limited to one player, though De Paula has made the clearest case among the other left-handed hitters. The highly regarded prospect was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City when Shohei Ohtani returned from the 15-day injured list on Wednesday, but his brief stay in Los Angeles made an impression.
De Paula went 10-for-31 in 11 games, hitting .323 and posting a .500 on-base percentage across 42 plate appearances. Andrew Friedman said De Paula has done what the organization could ask to keep himself in the postseason roster conversation.
The choice between De Paula and Rushing goes beyond the stat line. Both would largely be bat-first options. Rushing’s elbow prevents him from catching, while De Paula’s defense remains a developing part of his game. De Paula, however, offers more running value. He stole 30 bases in each of his last two Minor League seasons, while Rushing has never recorded more than two steals in a professional campaign.
If the Dodgers decide their October bench needs a runner or a defensive replacement more than another left-handed hitter, Kim may be the cleaner fit. The final construction could also change from round to round. Roberts said Los Angeles could use 14 position players and 12 pitchers in the best-of-five NL Division Series, creating another bench opening. In a best-of-seven NL Championship Series, the club would more likely carry the full allotment of 13 pitchers.
That is why the coming decision will not simply come down to Rushing’s next three swings or De Paula’s strong first taste of the majors. The Dodgers are weighing matchup needs, roster balance, defensive coverage and speed as they prepare for a potential first-round opponent.
