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However much they can get out of Dalton Rushing for the stretch run, the Dodgers will take it.
In somewhat of a surprise move, Rushing was activated from the 15-day injured list when rosters expanded on Tuesday. Rushing did not play in any rehab games, but he made enough progress hitting off the Trajekt machine and taking live at-bats that the Dodgers felt it was worth adding his left-handed bat to their bench.
From the time Rushing sustained a partial tear in the ulnar collateral ligament of his right elbow, his bat was expected back at some point this season. The glove remains in question. But first and foremost, Rushing is happy to be back for the stretch run in any capacity, even while he's strictly limited to hitting for the time being.
"I like playing baseball. I don't like watching baseball," Rushing said. "So that's probably the main thing for me. … This role brings a lot of ups and downs, and it's hard sometimes. But essentially, I'd rather play this role than be watching, for sure, for nine innings in the dugout."
Rushing is confident that he will be able to resume full catching duties before season's end. To that end, he has started a throwing program and hopes to begin catching bullpen sessions soon, which would help build up his legs to catch in games.
Manager Dave Roberts is less certain that he'll have a full-go Rushing at his disposal in the next month, but he is glad that the young backstop is working to make himself an option.
"I'm not quite there yet on being totally bullish on him getting back [as a catcher]," Roberts said. "I'm hopeful, but I think that would be just great if we can get him there. I like where his head is at, though. He's working hard to get there."
As Rushing builds up his arm on the side, he is limited to pinch-hitting duties unless Shohei Ohtani were to get a rare day off from DHing. After his rookie year, Rushing was open about how difficult it was to shift his mentality from playing every day to serving in a backup role. He showed growth in that regard this season, although Rushing later became the Dodgers' primary catcher while Will Smith was sidelined for months with a neck injury.
Adjusting to starting twice a week was a challenge in itself. Further shaving that role down to taking one plate appearance a night could be similarly difficult. For Rushing, it's an opportunity to show how he's evolved as a situational hitter.
"You're not really going up there to take your personal at-bat," Rushing said. "You're taking the team at-bat to figure out, 'What is it we need? Do we have a runner on third? Or am I leading off an inning? Am I trying to get a rally going?'
"It's understanding what is the task at hand right there, and taking your at-bat as a professional. It doesn't change much. It's the same as taking four at-bats in a game, to an extent. But coming off the bench, you're usually coming in a little bit of a high-pressure situation."
Rushing has two hits in 15 pinch-hit at-bats in his big league career. This is a role unlike any he's served, and Roberts acknowledged that he needs to find spots to help Rushing acclimate down the stretch. But ultimately, the Dodgers believe in the upside that Rushing can bring to their bench, which has long lacked a left-handed bat capable of making an impact.
"He can hit the ball out of the ballpark. He can take a walk," Roberts said. "I think there's something to that threat."
In an ideal world, the Dodgers would have Smith catch the vast majority of postseason innings, so it's arguably more important for Rushing to show that he can make an impact as a pinch-hitter to solidify his role on a potential postseason roster. Regardless of whether he's able to catch, Rushing can use this final month to make his case that his bat alone is worth carrying.
"I think that's what this next week or two is about before I start catching again," Rushing said, "is build the trust with them that I can do it off the bench and help this team win as a left-handed bat."