LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers made two late changes to Saturday night's lineup, scratching third baseman Max Muncy and designated hitter Dalton Rushing about two hours before first pitch against the Nationals.
Kiké Hernández replaced Muncy at third base, and Teoscar Hernández shifted to designated hitter for Rushing (DH was open because Shohei Ohtani was out of the lineup for the third straight game).
Muncy was scratched due to sickness, which might keep him out of Sunday's game but should ultimately be a shorter-term issue. But Rushing was removed with right elbow discomfort, which has the potential to have longer-term ramifications.
Rushing rejoined the Dodgers when rosters expanded on Tuesday after spending nearly a month on the injured list with a partial tear in the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. He has been strictly limited to hitting in games, although he is working through a throwing program in the hopes of being able to catch again this season.
Before Saturday's 6-5 win over Washington, Rushing was throwing on the field, which caused his elbow to flare up. He will undergo imaging, but at the very least, the Dodgers will hit pause on his throwing program.
The Dodgers viewed Rushing as unlikely to catch again this season, so a setback in that regard would not meaningfully impact their plans. But if the elbow discomfort compromises Rushing's ability to hit, that could be an issue.
L.A.'s bench is light on left-handed bats, and the team viewed Rushing as an option to fill that void.
"I still believe that hitting is on the table," manager Dave Roberts said. "We'll just see how it feels tomorrow."