Rushing returns to IL after reaggravating right elbow while throwing

LOS ANGELES -- Five days after returning to action, catcher Dalton Rushing landed back on the injured list ahead of Sunday's series finale against the Nationals. The 10-day IL stint was backdated to Saturday, when Rushing reaggravated his right elbow while playing catch.

The setback rules out Rushing from catching again this season, although the Dodgers are keeping the door open for him to return as a hitter.

Eliezer Alfonzo was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City as the corresponding move. The Dodgers will carry three catchers for the time being, which could free them up to use Hunter Feduccia as the primary left-handed bat off the bench when he's not catching.

Rushing has been dealing with a partial tear in the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow since the beginning of August. The Dodgers activated him from the IL to strictly serve as a hitter when rosters expanded on Tuesday, but he was working through a throwing progression on the side in the hopes of returning to catching.

On Saturday, Rushing was throwing in the range of 90-100 feet when his elbow flared up on him. Imaging did not show any further damage to Rushing's elbow.

"I think it was just more of, just pissed it off, to be quite honest," manager Dave Roberts said of Rushing's elbow. "He's not going to swing for a few days, and then get him back up building up to the swinging progression. At that point in time, he can take some at-bats, get on a rehab assignment and then we'll see where we're at in 11 days."

Rushing hit .249 with a .798 OPS, 12 homers and 36 RBIs in his second big league season. He went hitless in five plate appearances since being activated from the IL.

It remains a possibility that Rushing will need surgery on his elbow, but that could take place during the offseason. The Dodgers will see how building him up as a hitter goes before making any decisions.