TORONTO — Dalton Rushing had the best game of his young major-league career on Monday, going 4 for 4 with two home runs and reaching base five times. It came on the heels of hitting a two-run home run in Sunday’s game.
And Tuesday, he was back on the bench.
“I plan on playing him this year. I plan on giving Will (Smith) ample rest,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “But make no mistake who our starting catcher is.”
Rushing is certainly aware of that. He joked after Monday’s big game that it was “only downhill from here.”
The top prospect in the Dodgers’ system a year ago, Rushing continues to make his way in the big leagues in a difficult position – sitting on the bench. Roberts said two starts a week (or one a series) is the most likely work schedule for the 25-year-old Rushing this season. Even games like Monday are not likely to change that.
“Last year, mentally, I was in a tough spot playing the role that I was, and just kind of trying to figure out how you play that role,” Rushing said. “And this year, I have a little better understanding.
“You’re not going to show up and get two hits every game, whether you’re playing every day or you’re playing every three days. And that was something – maybe it was just a pill I had to swallow a little bit.”
Rushing has made some changes in his swing this year, aiming for something easier to repeat consistently when playing time is inconsistent. The real challenges, though, are mental.
“It’s not easy. But he’s got a lot to learn. He’s got a lot to learn to be an everyday catcher for a championship team,” Roberts said. “He’s reconciling that in his brain to understand that there’s a lot you can learn from watching. I think he’s really taken to that and it’s just going to make him a better player for a long time.
“Is he talented enough to be an everyday catcher in the big leagues? Absolutely. But there are some mistakes we can’t afford to have. I think the at-bat quality will continue to get better. The preparation and game-planning, the fingers will get better and the relationships with pitchers will get better. All of that takes time. And he’s got no one better to learn from than Will Smith.”
He has plenty of time to take those lessons. A perennial All-Star, Smith is signed through the 2033 season.
“I’m not worried about being a backup my whole career. I’m really not,” Rushing said. “But at the same time, I think I’m going to take advantage of this time and learn as much as I possibly can from it. Some of the best catchers, best players, in this sport started as backups. So you play your role to the best of your ability, and then you get opportunities to play.”
TWO-WAY STREAK
Shohei Ohtani will make his second pitching start of the season on Wednesday. He allowed just one hit and no runs in six innings in his first start last week against the Cleveland Guardians. He hasn’t given up a run in 22⅔ regular-season innings stretching back to last season.
At the plate, Ohtani walked in his first plate appearance Tuesday night, extending a streak of reaching base to 42 consecutive games (dating to last August). It is the third-longest on-base streak in L.A. Dodgers history behind Shawn Green (53 games in 2000) and Ron Cey (47 games in 1975-76). The franchise record is 58 consecutive games by Duke Snider in 1954, when the team was still in Brooklyn.
Both streaks are the longest active streaks in MLB and the longest in Ohtani’s career.
MAN DOWN
On their off-day workout at Rogers Centre before Game 6 of last year’s World Series, Roberts challenged Hyeseong Kim (the fastest player on the Dodgers) to a race from first to third base. Kim gave Roberts a head start but the manager went sprawling in the dirt as he tried to take a shortcut near second base.
The moment was caught on video by multiple people and became a memorable moment during the Dodgers’ comeback to win the World Series in Toronto. With the Dodgers back in Toronto this week, Roberts was asked if there might be a rematch.
“Absolutely not,” he said with a laugh. “My sprinting, racing days are over.”
The moment served to “change up the mojo” as the Dodgers faced elimination, Roberts said, making it worth the pain and embarrassment. There was also a $100 wager at stake.
“I paid him $100,” Roberts said. “I’m debt-free.”
UP NEXT
Dodgers (RHP Shohei Ohtani, 1-0, 0.00 ERA) at Blue Jays (RHP Dylan Cease, 0-0, 2.79 ERA), Wednesday, 12:05 p.m. PT, SportsNet LA, TBS, 570 AM