Dodgers Rookie Catcher Activated

Bruised and Banged up

Rushing has been sidelined since the Dodgers last road trip. He had to be helped off the field in Baltimore after taking a foul ball off his shin. Both X-rays and the CT scans were negative so there were no fractures. However, the rookie did sustain a significant bone bruise. This was a day after Will Smith took a foul tip off the right hand that eventually sent him to the I.L. as well. Fortunately, both backstops seem to have escaped a prolonged injury.

Ups and Downs of a Rookie Season

For his part, Rushing has a batting average of .190 with three home runs and 21 runs batted in. This is a far cry from what he was batting in the minors before the Dodgers called him up after releasing veteran Austin Barnes. However, Los Angeles is far more concerned with Rushing learning the pitching staff and throwing out runners from behind the plate, than his offensive production.

Promising Signs?

One of those three home runs came against the division rival San Diego Padres. The rookie kept fouling off pitches which led to a full count. Rushing got a pitch he could handle and deposited it over the fence for a critical three-run homer. It was the difference in the game and preserved the Dodgers first-place standing.

It remains to be seen, but that swing could be the difference between winning and losing the National League West.