Dodgers Catcher Dalton Rushing Endures “Embarrassing” Night Amidst Communication Struggles with Shohei Ohtani

Dalton Rushing, the young catcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, experienced a particularly challenging outing on Wednesday night, culminating in what he described as an “embarrassing” second inning. The frustration stemmed largely from communication issues behind the plate, most notably with star pitcher Shohei Ohtani, during the Dodgers’ eventual 4-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins.

Dugout Support

The bottom of the second inning proved to be a significant low point for the Dodgers, with Rushing at the center of the struggles. Following the difficult half-inning, Ohtani, visibly frustrated, headed directly to the dugout and down the tunnel. Rushing followed, and upon returning to the bench, was met by several members of the Dodgers staff. Veteran first baseman Freddie Freeman, mental skills coach Brent Walker, pitching coach Mark Prior, and manager Dave Roberts all engaged Rushing in extended conversations, attempting to help him refocus.

“It’s embarrassing that I need support like that,” Rushing admitted after the game. “I’m a grown man. It’s a pretty tough pill to swallow, both sides of the ball. Not a great showing. It hasn’t been great as of late. I’m going to get better.”

Pitch Calling Breakdown

The primary source of frustration appeared to be Rushing’s pitch calling for Ohtani. As the second inning unfolded, Ohtani struggled, allowing the Twins to load the bases. Ohtani later expressed that he didn’t feel confident in the called pitches.

“It’s more of the in-game flexibility, just reading the swings, reading how the hitters are taking their approach during the game, that I see, where you know where the adjustment needs to happen,” Ohtani said through his interpreter.

The miscommunication reached a critical point when Ohtani threw a 101.7 mph fastball, the hardest of his career, that went past Rushing for a run-scoring wild pitch. Rushing took responsibility, stating, “I messed it up. It was my fault.” Two pitches later, Ohtani’s sweeper was challenged by the hitter, Ryan Kreidler, and resulted in two more runs scoring.

Ohtani Takes Control

By the time Ohtani returned to the mound in the following inning, he had decided to take matters into his own hands. After a run-scoring single from Ohtani himself in the top of the third, he entered the next inning and, without waiting for Rushing’s signal, used his PitchCom device to call his own pitches. This proactive approach proved effective, as Ohtani struck out the side on 13 pitches.

“There’s really a couple ways of communicating,” Ohtani explained. “One is by words, but the other way to be able to communicate is by example, and just taking the charge and showing Rush what kind of pitching style I’m capable of.”

Learning Curve for Rushing

Rushing has been pressed into more regular duty due to an injury to regular catcher Will Smith, who is on the injured list with a neck issue. This situation has accelerated Rushing’s major league learning curve, forcing him to adapt in real time.

“It’s a work in progress,” manager Dave Roberts said of Rushing’s development. The Dodgers have been patient with the 2022 first-round draft pick, initially treating his 2025 stint as an extended internship focused on defensive development and building rapport with the pitching staff.

The offensive struggles were also evident, as Rushing struck out three times and was 0-for-4 on the night. In the third inning, he even slammed his helmet on the bench after a strikeout, breaking it, and later repeatedly slammed his head into his hands. In the eighth inning, after popping out, he screamed into his helmet. Rushing’s OPS entering Wednesday’s game was .589, a significant drop from a strong April.

Despite the difficulties, manager Roberts assured that Rushing’s offensive slump has not impacted other areas of his game. The Dodgers anticipate Rushing will continue to handle an everyday role due to Smith’s continued absence and the limited experience of backup catcher Chuckie Robinson.

Key facts
| Detail | Information |
|—|—|
| Player | Dalton Rushing |
| Team | Los Angeles Dodgers |
| Opponent | Minnesota Twins |
| Outcome | Dodgers won 4-3 |
| Key Incident | Communication breakdown with Shohei Ohtani during second inning |
| Rushing’s Assessment | Described the inning as “embarrassing” |
| Ohtani’s Action | Took over pitch calling via PitchCom in the third inning |

This development is significant for NationalSportsWeb readers as it highlights the challenges faced by young catchers stepping into prominent roles, especially when paired with a talent like Shohei Ohtani. It underscores the importance of communication and trust between pitcher and catcher in high-stakes MLB games, and the learning process involved for players like Rushing as they navigate their early careers.

Source: The Athletic – Dodgers’ Dalton Rushing struggles through ‘embarrassing’ inning, night at the plate (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7392662/2026/06/25/dodgers-dalton-rushing-embarrassing-ohtani-twins/)

Datos clave