Dodgers' Dalton Rushing creating a big, but good, problem

Rookie catcher's hot start puts pressure on Dodgers' lineup decisions

Apr. 7, 2026 at 1:43pm

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting the dynamic motion of a baseball catcher's swing, with sharp planes of blue, white, and red overlapping to create an abstract, cubist composition.A cubist interpretation of a young catcher's dynamic swing, hinting at the Dodgers' lineup dilemma as their top prospect forces his way into more playing time.Los Angeles Today

Dalton Rushing, a rookie catcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, has been swinging a hot bat to start the season, creating a dilemma for manager Dave Roberts on how to fit him into the lineup alongside the team's established star catcher Will Smith.

Why it matters

The Dodgers have high expectations this season and need to maximize their offensive production. Rushing's emergence as a potential impact bat could force the team to get creative with its lineup and playing time decisions behind the plate.

The details

Rushing, a 23-year-old prospect, has been tearing the cover off the ball in his first few weeks in the majors, hitting over .350 with several extra-base hits. This production has put pressure on Roberts to find ways to get Rushing regular at-bats, even though the Dodgers already have an All-Star caliber catcher in Smith.

  • Rushing made his MLB debut on Opening Day 2026.

The players

Dalton Rushing

A 23-year-old rookie catcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers who has been hitting exceptionally well to start the 2026 season.

Dave Roberts

The manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who is tasked with finding playing time for both Rushing and the team's established starting catcher, Will Smith.

Will Smith

The Dodgers' long-time starting catcher and an All-Star player.

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What they’re saying

“Dalton has really forced our hand with the way he's been swinging the bat. It's a good problem to have, but we'll have to get creative to find ways to get him in the lineup more often.”

— Dave Roberts, Dodgers Manager

What’s next

The Dodgers will need to evaluate their options for playing time at catcher over the coming weeks as Rushing continues to produce at the plate.

The takeaway

The Dodgers' catching situation has become an intriguing storyline early in the 2026 season, as the team's top prospect Dalton Rushing has emerged as an offensive force and is pushing for more playing time alongside the team's established star catcher Will Smith.