With Ohtani-sized shoes to fill at DH, Rushing comes through with grand slam

LOS ANGELES -- Before Dalton Rushing stepped into the batter’s box at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, he received a simple directive from a veteran teammate.

“[Shohei Ohtani] told me to hit a homer for him,” Rushing said. “And I guess it worked out.”

Rushing delivered on that request in the eighth inning, hitting a grand slam to center field to secure an 8-2 victory over the Mets. The blast, Rushing’s fourth of the season and the first grand slam of his career, broke open what was a two-run game and solidified a series sweep for Los Angeles.

The opportunity for Rushing to serve as the designated hitter arose as the Dodgers looked to manage Ohtani’s workload. After being hit by a pitch in his left scapula on Monday, Ohtani was not in the lineup as a hitter on Wednesday so that he could focus solely on his start on the mound.

The tactical shift paid off. Ohtani earned the win with six innings of one-run ball, while Rushing provided the offensive spark typically seen from the two-way star. When asked after the game if he would be open to similar arrangements in the future, Ohtani laughed as he offered a lighthearted endorsement of his teammate’s performance.

“Yeah, totally,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton. “I mean, we had a really good DH today, so I'm very open to that.”

While Ohtani was joking about a permanent move, the performance highlighted a legitimate strategic luxury for manager Dave Roberts. By calling on Rushing, the Dodgers were able to rest a superstar's bat without sacrificing power.

During Rushing’s time in the Minor Leagues, the Dodgers frequently slotted him in as a designated hitter on his off-days from catching to keep his bat in the lineup.

“I give my props to player development in this organization for giving me the opportunity to DH a good bit throughout the Minors,” Rushing said. “It's not an easy role. Seeing Shohei do it every day, I think that's what is so special. You have to fight a mental toll a little bit from pitch to pitch, a bat to a bat. You sit around for two or three innings sometimes, and that's your time to think on whatever happened that last at-bat.”

Rather than dwelling on those gaps, the 25-year-old left-hander focused on a simplified approach. For Rushing, the evolution has been as much mental as it was physical, shifting from just trying to hit the ball to paying closer attention to the situational logic of each at-bat.

“I see a difference this year as to last year,” Rushing said. “There are more thoughts going on in the box, understanding the way the guy in front of me is thinking, that way the guy behind me is thinking. And in this game, that’s almost everything.”

While Roberts noted he won’t proactively sit Ohtani if the veteran is fresh, Rushing’s ability to execute—like staying back on a changeup after chasing one earlier in the game—makes the decision easier when the situation calls for a rest day.

“I’m glad I could give this team another weapon,” Rushing said.

That transition reflects a comfort level that has developed since his debut. After spending the 2025 season adjusting to the speed of the game, Rushing is finding a rhythm in his sophomore year.

“I’ve simplified things and as of now they’re showing results, and we’re going to ride the wave as long as we can,” Rushing said.

“It feels good just to contribute to a team like this, to feel like you're every day helping this team win, regardless of the results. But it’s a different feeling than I had last year, and it feels a little more normal.”

The performance served as a reminder of the competitive edge being cultivated within the Dodgers' clubhouse, where producing alongside established stars is becoming a requirement for the next generation.

“Anything you do to help this team win as a young guy, it gives you a boost of confidence,” Rushing said. “I think it’s a testament to the young players starting to strive for something like that.”