Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani Praises Dalton Rushing's Big Night

Ohtani was impressed by Rushing's performance as the Dodgers' fill-in DH.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 6:36am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball game in progress, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the Dodgers and Mets uniforms.Ohtani's injury opens the door for Rushing to shine as the Dodgers' fill-in DH.Denver Today

With Shohei Ohtani sidelined due to injury, Dodgers backup catcher Dalton Rushing stepped up in a big way, hitting a grand slam to help the team defeat the Mets 8-2. After the game, Ohtani praised Rushing's performance, saying 'We had a really good DH today.'

Why it matters

Ohtani's injury had raised concerns about the Dodgers' ability to replace his offensive production, but Rushing proved more than capable of filling in as the designated hitter. Ohtani's endorsement of Rushing's performance is a positive sign for the team as they navigate Ohtani's recovery and continue their push for the playoffs.

The details

With Ohtani out of the lineup due to a shoulder injury, Rushing made the most of his opportunity, going 2-for-4 with a grand slam in the 8th inning to put the game out of reach for the Mets. Ohtani, who struck out 10 batters in 6 innings on the mound, was impressed by Rushing's contribution, praising the backup catcher's performance.

  • Ohtani was removed from the Dodgers' batting lineup on Wednesday, April 16, 2026 to allow his injured shoulder more time to heal.
  • Rushing's grand slam came in the 8th inning of the Dodgers' 8-2 win over the Mets on April 16, 2026.

The players

Shohei Ohtani

A star pitcher and hitter for the Los Angeles Dodgers who was sidelined with a shoulder injury.

Dalton Rushing

The Dodgers' backup catcher who stepped up as the designated hitter in Ohtani's absence, hitting a grand slam to help the team defeat the Mets.

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What they’re saying

“We had a really good DH today.”

— Shohei Ohtani

What’s next

The Dodgers will travel to Denver for a four-game series against the Rockies, followed by a two-game set against the Giants, before returning home to face the Cubs. The team will continue to monitor Ohtani's recovery and determine when he can safely return to the lineup.

The takeaway

Ohtani's praise for Rushing's performance shows the Dodgers have depth to weather his absence, and the team's ability to adapt and find production from unexpected sources bodes well for their postseason hopes.