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Dalton Rushing is in a bit of a crisis and he sure knows it.
The Los Angeles Dodgers catcher and first baseman got off to a fiery start to the season as he found playing time with Will Smith, hitting .444 with a 1.761 OPS in his first eight games of the season.
But in 14 games since then, he is 7 for his last 39 for a .179 batting average and has posted a .484 OPS.
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Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing reacts in the dugout after striking out with two runners on base and the game tied against the San Francisco Giants in the sixth inning at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on May 14, 2026. It was his third strikeout of the game. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)
In the bottom of the fourth inning with a runner on second against the San Francisco Giants on Thursday night, Rushing struck out on a breaking ball out of the zone and wasn’t happy with himself. Rushing broke the bat over the leg and slammed his shin pad onto the dugout bench.
Two innings later, with men in scoring position, Rushing struck out on a high fastball, and he put himself in danger by hitting his new bat over the helmet — still upside down — three times.
Overall, it was a game to forget for Rushing, who struck out three times in a hitless effort. He hasn’t had a hit since May 6th.
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing walks back to the dugout after striking out Atlanta Braves pitcher Reynaldo López in the eighth inning at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on May 9, 2026. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)
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After losing four straight games, each by at least four runs, the Dodgers, even with Rushing’s struggles, got back on track to win the final two games of their four-game series against the Giants, including a 5-2 victory Thursday.
They haven’t exactly impressed the competition as they sit at 25-18, but they haven’t relinquished first place in the National League West yet this season. However, the San Diego Padres remain right on their tail.
The Dodgers embark on a nine-game road trip Friday night, though they won’t have to go far for the first three as they face the Los Angeles Angels.
Dalton Rushing bats for the Los Angeles Dodgers during a game against the Chicago Cubs at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California on April 26, 2026. (Ric Tapia/Getty Images)
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But then it’s a big series against the Padres before they take on the Milwaukee Brewers in a National League Championship Series rematch.
