Dalton Rushing stepped up big time for the Dodgers while Will Smith was out, but he, too, suffered injuries of his own.
Rushing was placed on the injured list with right elbow inflammation in August, but returned in September. However, he was placed back on the injured list with right elbow discomfort. He was left off the postseason roster, and on Wednesday, The Los Angeles Times' Maddie Lee reported that he is undergoing elbow surgery.
"Dodgers' Dalton Rushing is undergoing right elbow surgery today, per sources," wrote Lee. "It's expected to be a hybrid internal brace procedure. The expected timeline to return to catching full time is 9 months, with a return to hitting well before then."
When he was healthy, Rushing was a solid hitter for the Dodgers, proving why he was once a top prospect in the organization. However, his inability to play behind the plate while he recovers really limits the impact he can make.
It's not like the Dodgers can put him at designated hitter with Shohei Ohtani on the team. Even though he would be able to hit well before he could play as a catcher again, he may only be able to pinch-hit until then.
On top of that, the Dodgers have Smith. Rushing was already going to be pressed for playing time. Overall, the Dodgers will have to make some important decisions with Rushing down the line.
He is a good player, but as long as Smith and Ohtani are on the team, his role will always be limited.