Dalton Rushing to Undergo Elbow Surgery

Dalton Rushing, the catcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, is scheduled to have elbow surgery today to address a ligament issue in his right elbow. The procedure will involve an internal brace to repair the ulnar collateral ligament.

The expected recovery time is around nine months, which means Rushing will likely be unable to catch until July. Although he can resume hitting earlier, his playing time may be limited due to the presence of Shohei Ohtani as the designated hitter.

Rushing, who turns 26 in February, was the backup catcher behind Will Smith and had also played first base and designated hitter during the 2026 season. He faced challenges after sustaining a ligament tear on the trade deadline, leading to a month-long absence. Despite a promising batting average of .246 with 12 home runs earlier in the season, he struggled upon his return, going hitless in eight plate appearances. The Dodgers will assess his recovery progress post-surgery to determine his potential return to the field.