The Los Angeles Dodgers announced Tuesday they have activated catchers Will Smith and Dalton Rushing.
Also included in the franchise’s flurry of moves was activating LHP Justin Wrobleski and adding Alex Freeland to the roster. Outfielder Alek Thomas was optioned to Triple-A, and catcher Ben Rortvedt was designated for assignment.
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Smith has been away from the Dodgers for nearly three months while dealing with an inflamed disk in his neck.
Before getting hurt, LA’s starting catcher played in only 52 games. He was having a down year, slashing only .249/.338/.382 with six home runs and 23 RBI.
Rushing has played in 74 games this season. He was faring slightly better than Smith at the plate, slashing .253/.335/.475 with 12 home runs and 36 RBI. Rushing was sidelined after dealing with elbow soreness. After testing, it was revealed he had a slight tear in his UCL.
The catcher avoided surgery, but he is expected to be done catching for the season. As such, it remains to be seen how exactly manager Dave Roberts plans to use him, as Shohei Ohtani tends to be the team’s DH and Los Angeles wouldn’t want to take Ohtani’s bat out of the lineup for Rushing.
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The Dodgers have not been able to replicate Smith’s or Rushing’s production behind the plate. Los Angeles went with a combination of Hunter Feducia and Rortvedt. Feduccia was hitting .262 in 20 games, while Rortvedt played in 16 games and was hitting just .185.
Despite not having solid production from a stand-in catcher, the Dodgers still have an 82-55 record ahead of Tuesday’s series opener against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Los Angeles is sitting in first place in the NL West, with a 9.5-game lead over the San Diego Padres.
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