Dalton Rushing And Will Klein Undergo Right Elbow Surgeries

Hours after Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman announced Shohei Ohtani was not going to require surgery during the offseason, the team revealed Dalton Rushing and Will Klein had respective operations.

Both players were limited down the stretch of the 2026 season by right elbow injuries. Rushing returned for a final audition to make the playoff roster but was not active in the National League Division Series or Championship Series.

Offseason Dodgers surgeries

Will Klein

The Dodgers announced Klein had right elbow surgery on Wednesday for a bone chip removal and spur cleanup. The expectation is he will be healthy for the start of Spring Training in 2027.

The Dodgers are scheduled to play their first Cactus League game on Friday, Feb. 19, but next year’s schedule is very much tentative and subject to a potential — if not likely — MLB lockout.

Of course, a delayed start would benefit the 26-year-old in the form of more time off to recover.

Klein ended the 2026 season on the 60-day injured list. He was eligible to be activated on Sept. 30, which amounted to being available for the Dodgers’ playoff roster in the NLDS. The right-hander participated in live batting practice during the final week of the regular season but never was added onto the roster.

The Dodgers initially decided on a rest-and-rehab approach with Klein rather than surgery, which worked in the team’s favor for the time being as he theoretically became an option for October.

Klein was included on the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster for the 2026 season and went 3-4 with a 3.67 ERA, 3.41 FIP and 1.56 WHIP across 36 appearances (three starts). Klein’s last time pitching in a game was on July 31.

Dalton Rushing

Rushing’s right elbow surgery was an internal brace procedure that is expected to have him sidelined for an estimated nine months.

Rushing twice went on the 15-day injured list this season because of right elbow trouble. The first designation in early August was because of inflammation that stemmed from a slight tear in the UCL, then a second IL stint in September was said to be due to discomfort.

Rushing received a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection and expressed confidence in avoiding elbow surgery.

But when Rushing did return for the final three games of the regular season, it was as a hitter only. It’s plausible he is back in that role before the approximate nine-month recovery is completed.

However that ultimately unfolds, Hunter Feduccia figures to again to be the backup to Will Smith during Rushing’s absence.