Dodgers Shuffle Roster Ahead of Crucial Game vs. Phillies

Sep 5, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing (68) reacts to a foul ball off his leg during the sixth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: James A. Pittman-Imagn Images | James A. Pittman-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Dodgers have activated catcher Dalton Rushing from the injured list, while also optioning Chuckie Robinson, who was operating as the backup catcher.

Will Smith is still out on the injured list with a bone bruise, though he can be activated off the IL this weekend during the Dodgers' home series against the San Francisco Giants.

Rushing picked up his injury more than a week ago, hitting a ball off his leg, leading to a bone contusion.

The Dodgers have activated catcher Dalton Rushing from the injured list and optioned catcher Chuckie Robinson.

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 16, 2025

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“Yeah, 103 (mph),” Rushing said Saturday. “I barreled it right into my leg. Watching the video, I’m surprised. The initial feeling – yeah, I’m surprised.

“It numbed up pretty quick. Couldn’t really put any pressure on it. There was pain up and down my leg. Thank God I’ve got a strong tib-fib. I guess I drank a lot of milk as a kid. It sucks, though.”

The Dodgers need Rushing to stay healthy, especially during the stretch run of the season.

The rookie has struggle at the plate, hitting .190/.298/.551 with three home runs in 121 at-bats. His OPS+ sits at 54, well below average, but he has gotten praise from his teammates on his patience behind Will Smith.

Rushing has also shown composure behind the plate and in the batter's box, and considering how highly touted he was as a prospect, he should break through over time.

Smith, the All-Star catcher, is finally the team's top option behind the plate, hitting the ball at an elite level while getting multiple baserunners out with his arm.

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Until Smith gets back, Rushing will be the de facto starter on the team. Smith tried playing through his own injury, though he ended up only able to play one game after getting hurt and then going on the IL.

Manager Dave Roberts regretted the team's approach to handling the injury and how long it took to place him on the IL.

“This was the information we had at that moment in time,” he said. “The X-rays were all negative. People have contusions all the time, but this one right now is kind of lingering a little bit longer than we all hoped.

“I think in hindsight we would have definitely done it (the IL move). But that’s not what we had at that point in time. The information we had at the time was, he could play a game, which he did. That’s what we knew. And then when he comes up sore the next day and the following days, then we made a decision.”

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