LOS ANGELES — After an emotional and sometimes erratic pairing last week, Dalton Rushing will get another opportunity to catch Shohei Ohtani when the Dodgers host the San Diego Padres on Friday night.
Rushing and Ohtani were not on the same page the last time they were matched together on June 24 against the Minnesota Twins, leading to a passed ball, a visible disagreement on a pitch challenge and an emotional reaction by Rushing in the dugout between the second and third innings.
The Dodgers eventually won, 4-3, but their public exchanges led Ohtani to take over pitch calling after the second inning and created some uneasiness in the field and on the bench that seemed to linger throughout the game.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said before the opener of the four-game series against the Padres on Thursday that he believes those differences are behind them.
“I think they will be (on the same page),” Roberts said. “I think they will be more than they were in his last start.”
Rushing has caught just 77 major-league games, but took over No. 1 catching duties when three-time All Star Will Smith went down with neck discomfort early last month, an ailment that’s expected to keep him sidelined through the All-Star break.
Roberts said it’s ultimately up to Rushing to adapt to his pitchers.
“They don’t think the same, so it takes time,” Roberts said of Rushing and Ohtani. “But again, I think Dalton understands this is what he signed up for, and the job of a catcher is to be a servant to the pitcher. That’s the bottom line. So, it’s Dalton’s job to get on the page with whatever pitcher, right? And so, I expect that to be resolved.”
Roberts said Ohtani (8-2, 1.58 ERA) will also hit on Friday, something he had paused for a stretch in games he pitched because of a knee inflammation and soreness.
“I just talked to him earlier (Thursday),” Roberts said. “He’s feeling better every day. Just the way he’s moving the last couple days has been better.”
BETTS BACK
Mookie Betts was back in the lineup at shortstop on Thursday night after being a late scratch on Wednesday against the A’s in West Sacramento because of a sore wrist.
Roberts said Betts received treatment before the game on Wednesday and said he was capable of playing.
“I just wanted to stay away from him regardless and (Thursday) he feels back to normal,” Roberts said.
Betts owns good success against Friday’s scheduled starter for the Padres, Michael King, having gone 6 for 19 with three home runs and eight RBIs against the veteran right-hander.
MORE ROSTER MOVES
After pitching seven innings out of the bullpen on Wednesday night and giving the rest of the Dodgers’ relievers the night off, Charlie Barnes was returned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday and 6-foot-10 right-hander Paul Gervase was recalled.
“For him to be able to save everyone else puts us in a great position for the four games this weekend,” Roberts said of Barnes.
Gervase, who is the tallest player in team history, made two appearances for the Dodgers this season, both in May. His last appearance was two innings of scoreless relief in a 5-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on May 22.
“Just be as consistent as I can be,” Gervase said of his goals the second time around with the Dodgers. “Throw as many strikes as I can and help the team win.”
Roberts said Gervase’s size and unorthodox delivery gives him an added advantage over hitters.
“When he’s going after guys and it’s 94, 95 (mph), it’s a different pitcher versus 92,” Roberts said. “There’s a good changeup in there, breaking ball, there’s some funk in the throw, extension, so yeah, I don’t know how long he’s going to be here, but it’s good to have him.”
Gervase might be the tallest player in franchise history, but he’s not even the tallest person in his family.
His brother, Will, is a 6-11 left-hander for Class A Rancho Cucamonga in the Angels’ organization.
“We talk every day,” Paul Gervase said.
UP NEXT
Padres (RHP Michael King, 5-7, 3.55 ERA) at Dodgers (RHP Shohei Ohtani, 8-2, 1.58 ERA), Friday, 7:10 p.m., ESPN, SportsNet LA, 570 AM