Dodgers' Dalton Rushing to catch Shohei Ohtani's Friday start
The Los Angeles Dodgers confirmed that Dalton Rushing will catch Shohei Ohtani on Friday night against the San Diego Padres, reuniting the battery for the first time since a widely discussed miscommunication during a June 24 victory over the Minnesota Twins. Manager Dave Roberts said Rushing understands a catcher's job is to serve the pitcher.
That decision ends days of speculation after Ohtani and Rushing's on-field friction went viral. With Will Smith sidelined, the Dodgers are betting their young catcher can reset the relationship on one of baseball's biggest stages. All eyes turn to Dodger Stadium when Ohtani takes the mound.
Key Takeaways
- Dave Roberts confirmed Dalton Rushing will catch Shohei Ohtani's Friday start against the Padres.
- The pairing returns after a June 24 Twins game where pitch-calling clashes and a passed ball fueled viral tension.
- Ohtani called his own pitches from the third inning onward and still earned a 4-3 Dodgers win.
- Mookie Betts and Max Muncy framed the incident as a "growing moment" for the rookie catcher.
- Rushing publicly took accountability and said he has talked extensively with Ohtani since.
Why Is Dalton Rushing Catching Shohei Ohtani Again?
Manager Dave Roberts told reporters ahead of Thursday's Padres series opener that Rushing will remain behind the plate when Ohtani pitches Friday, according to ESPN's Alden Gonzalez. Roberts said the rookie "understands this is what he signed up for" and that a catcher's priority is serving the pitcher.
Roberts had been undecided immediately after the Twins start, when public disagreements in the second inning raised questions about the pairing. The Dodgers are sticking with Rushing while Smith continues to recover from injury, signaling confidence that the battery can move forward together.
What Happened Between Ohtani and Rushing Against the Twins?
During the Dodgers' 4-3 win on June 24 in Minneapolis, Ohtani and Rushing struggled to sync through the first two innings, the Los Angeles Times reported. Issues ranged from pitch selection to automated ball-strike challenges and a cross-up on a passed ball that allowed a run.
Frustration peaked when Ohtani challenged a borderline call over Rushing's objection; Statcast showed Ohtani was correct by 0.3 inches. Ohtani then took control from the third inning, calling his own pitches while Rushing stayed behind the plate. He struck out eight over six innings and did not allow another run after the second.
Rushing called his performance "pretty embarrassing" and said it was "an error on my side." Ohtani, speaking through interpreter Will Ireton, said he wanted to communicate "by example" and show Rushing the pitching style he is capable of delivering.
What Are Dodgers Stars Saying About the Controversy?
On Mookie Betts' "On Base" podcast, Betts and Max Muncy downplayed lasting damage while acknowledging the spotlight. Muncy called the exchange "a good growing moment" and noted that Ohtani will not always have Will Smith available as his catcher, as reported by Yahoo Sports.
Betts admitted he went down the tunnel during the mound meeting because he was "nosy" and wanted to hear how the conversation would unfold. He called it "a huge moment" for Rushing and praised the rookie for taking accountability afterward.
Muncy added that Rushing must learn that elite pitchers like Ohtani sometimes want a pitch that analytics may not favor. "We've all been there," Muncy said. "You have to learn. You have to grow."
What Happens Next for the Dodgers Battery?
Friday's start is a reset test with national attention. Ohtani is also expected to hit in his familiar leadoff role as a two-way player, keeping the Dodgers' core lineup intact while he pitches.
Rushing said he has spoken with Ohtani extensively and accepts responsibility for moving on. "It's my job... to say, 'Look, I'm wearing this, this is my fault,'" he told reporters, emphasizing that serving a generational talent requires maturity under pressure.
For more on high-profile sports moments crossing into mainstream buzz, follow our Celebrity Breaking News coverage. The Dodgers enter the Padres series looking to rebound after recent pitching struggles, with Roberts framing Rushing's development as a work in progress the club will support.