MINNEAPOLIS – Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing exited Monday night's 2-1 win against the Twins in the third inning to undergo testing and rule out a potential concussion.
On the first pitch of the bottom of the first inning, Rushing took a sharp foul tip directly off his face mask.
"It squared him up, and he was a little groggy," manager Dave Roberts said postgame. "And so on the bench talking to the training staff, they just recommended to me that it was probably best we get him out."
Rushing admitted that the impact had an immediate effect that carried into his subsequent plate appearance.
"It was the first pitch of the game, got me square on the top of the head," Rushing said. "My brain was just pounding for the next couple innings and even through that first at-bat – it was a one-pitch at-bat – but as bad as it sounds, I was looking for a strike today because it wasn't comfortable."
The Dodgers are already without primary catcher Will Smith, who has been on the IL since June 11 (retroactive to June 8) with neck stiffness.
While Rushing initially remained in the game to catch the first two innings and took his scheduled at-bat in the top of the second, backup Chuckie Robinson replaced him before the bottom of the third inning. Rushing noted that the lingering symptoms, combined with a history of head injuries, ultimately prompted the training staff to play it safe.
"I had a couple of symptoms that scared them a little bit," Rushing explained. "Thankfully, we played it the safe route. ... I had [ a concussion] recently in '23. I got hit with a backswing in the back of the head, and I tried to stand up in the next box and fell down. So, I would say that one was pretty bad. But this one was just a headache. The headache and a little bit of nauseous feeling. ... Take some medicine, pass a concussion test and we'll move on."
Roberts revealed postgame that while the rookie initially passed his examinations, the team will continue to handle his recovery with an abundance of caution over the next 24 hours.
"He passed the protocol test. But I guess you’ve got to do it again in 24 hours," Roberts said. "So tomorrow we'll do the same thing. But I would say it's pretty unlikely he'll be in there tomorrow just to potentially give him another day. We are going to bring someone up just to guard against that. I don't know who yet."
Rushing's exit came just one inning after right fielder Kyle Tucker left the contest due to lower back spasms. Despite losing both players early, Rushing noted the silver lining to the chaotic evening.
"We're still able to pull a win," Rushing said. "And yeah, I'm going to be just fine."