Dodgers’ Rushing Has Elbow Surgery, 2027 Role Uncertain

WHO:

MLB.com - Dalton Rushing is a Dodgers backup catcher who had surgery for a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow.

MLB.com - Rushing played his second big-league season, initially backing up Will Smith and later taking over starting catching duties while Smith was sidelined with neck inflammation.

NY Post - Rushing was set to undergo an internal brace procedure to address the damaged ligament in his right throwing elbow, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the situation.

MLB.com - The Dodgers reacquired catcher Hunter Feduccia at the Trade Deadline after Rushing’s injury.

MLB.com - Shohei Ohtani is blocked by Rushing at designated hitter only in the sense that Ohtani occupies the Dodgers’ DH role, complicating the option of keeping Rushing on the major-league roster as a hitter only.

WHAT:

MLB.com - Rushing’s surgery was expected to be a hybrid internal brace procedure; his projected timeline to return to catching is nine months, and he is expected to return as a hitter sooner.

MLB.com - Rushing hit .246 with a .788 OPS and 12 home runs during his season.

MLB.com - After being activated when rosters expanded, Rushing appeared in four games as a hitter only, then returned to the injured list after aggravating his elbow while throwing.

MLB.com - Rushing was ruled out from catching for the remainder of the season. He continued hitting because it did not worsen his elbow, and the Dodgers did not shut him down until their season ended.

MLB.com - The Dodgers carried prospect Josue De Paula on their NLDS and NLCS rosters rather than Rushing as a left-handed bench bat.

MLB.com - If rehabilitation goes as planned, Rushing could be available to catch around mid-to-late July. Feduccia is likely to begin the next season as Will Smith’s backup.

MLB.com - The Dodgers must decide whether Rushing should remain on the major-league roster as a hitter only or receive regular at-bats at Triple-A Oklahoma City before he is cleared to catch.

WHERE:

MLB.com - Rushing plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers; the article identifies Triple-A Oklahoma City as a potential rehabilitation playing destination.

WHEN:

MLB.com - The article says Rushing underwent surgery on Wednesday and estimates nine months before he can return to catching.

MLB.com - Rushing’s elbow flared up in early August; he was activated when rosters expanded on Sept. 1 and later returned to the injured list.

WHY:

MLB.com - Rushing’s surgery addressed a partially torn UCL in his right elbow, which was aggravated while he was throwing.

HOW:

MLB.com - Rushing was working through a throwing progression after returning as a hitter only; surgery was expected to use a hybrid internal brace procedure.

NY Post - The planned operation was an internal brace procedure on Rushing’s right throwing elbow.

Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing underwent surgery to repair a partially torn ligament in his right elbow, with a return to catching projected in about nine months. The operation used a hybrid internal brace procedure. Rushing is expected to return as a hitter sooner, but his throwing elbow flared up as he worked through a throwing progression, and he was placed back on the injured list. During his second big-league season, he hit .246, with a .788 OPS and 12 home runs. He initially backed up Will Smith, then took over as the starter while Smith was sidelined with neck inflammation. The Dodgers reacquired catcher Hunter Feduccia after Rushing’s injury, and Feduccia is likely to back up Smith next season. The team must decide whether Rushing stays on the major-league roster as a hitter or gets regular at-bats at Triple-A Oklahoma City before he can catch again.