Introduction to the Roster Changes
The Los Angeles Dodgers have made significant roster changes, calling up their top prospect Dalton Rushing and designating veteran catcher Austin Barnes for assignment. This move marks a new beginning for Rushing and the end of an era for Barnes, who has been with the team for 11 seasons.
The Call-Up: Dalton Rushing
Dalton Rushing’s phone rang at 1 a.m. Wednesday, startling the Los Angeles Dodgers’ top prospect and worrying him that it wasn’t anything good. “I was almost asleep,” he said. “You get a call in the middle of the night, you freak out at first. It ended up being some of the best news I’ve ever heard." It was his Triple-A manager telling the 24-year-old catcher to pack his bags. He was being called up to the big leagues.
Reaction to the Call-Up
“I called every family member,” Rushing said in the dugout at Dodger Stadium. “My mother just so happened to be the one that didn’t answer after 55 calls. She’s a deep sleeper.” The Dodgers haven’t been sleeping on Rushing’s talent. He was hitting .308 with five home runs and 17 RBI at Oklahoma City. He caught Clayton Kershaw during the three-time Cy Young Award winner’s recent rehab assignment. “Obviously he’s seen 17 more years of Major League Baseball than I have, so I got to learn plenty from those four or five innings,” Rushing said.
The End of an Era: Austin Barnes
At the same time as Rushing’s new beginning, the end came for Austin Barnes. The longest-tenured position player on the team was designated for assignment after 11 seasons and two World Series championships. Barnes, the backup catcher to Will Smith, was hitting .214 with three doubles and two RBI. “Austin’s been a mainstay for our club, so it’s certainly not easy,” manager Dave Roberts said, “but I think that the performance from Dalton kind of really sped this up.”
Future Plans for Rushing
Rushing will start Thursday against the Athletics in what is expected to be a bullpen game for the Dodgers. Roberts plans to have Rushing catch twice a week and pinch-hit while catching bullpen sessions. Rushing said not playing every day will be different, but he accepts his new role. “I’m the young guy and essentially if I show up here every day and I play three days a week, if I can help the team win those other three or four days, it’s pretty special and you’re pretty valuable,” he said.
Rushing’s Background and Expectations
Rushing has been in the Dodgers’ organization for four years and was their minor league player of the year in 2024, when he hit 26 home runs and drove in 85 runs between stints in Double-A and Triple-A. Like starting catcher Will Smith, he attended the University of Louisville. “It’s my job to show up here and one, help the team win, but two, just make his job as easy as possible,” Rushing said. “He’s going to make my job easy, but also there’s a helping hand that I can give to make his job easy as well.”
Conclusion
The Dodgers’ decision to call up Dalton Rushing and cut loose Austin Barnes marks a significant shift in their roster. As Rushing begins his major league career, he brings with him high expectations and a strong work ethic. Meanwhile, Austin Barnes, after 11 seasons with the Dodgers, will be looking for a new opportunity to continue his career. The future looks bright for Rushing, and it will be exciting to see how he contributes to the team.
FAQs
- Q: Who is Dalton Rushing?
A: Dalton Rushing is the Los Angeles Dodgers’ top prospect, a 24-year-old catcher who has been called up to the big leagues. - Q: What happened to Austin Barnes?
A: Austin Barnes, the longest-tenured position player on the team, was designated for assignment after 11 seasons with the Dodgers. - Q: What are the plans for Dalton Rushing’s role on the team?
A: Rushing will start against the Athletics and is expected to catch twice a week, pinch-hit, and catch bullpen sessions. - Q: How does Rushing feel about not playing every day?
A: Rushing accepts his new role and believes that even if he doesn’t play every day, he can still help the team win and be valuable. - Q: What’s next for Austin Barnes?
A: Manager Dave Roberts expects Barnes to sign with another team and continue to impact the game, believing there’s still more baseball left in him.
