Dodgers' Dalton Rushing Says He Won't Need UCL Surgery
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing told reporters that he does not need to undergo season-ending UCL surgery.
The Los Angeles Dodgers' Dalton Rushing has indicated he does not require UCL surgery despite a slight tear in his ulnar collateral ligament as determined by imaging. Rushing anticipates returning to the roster before the end of the 2026 season, primarily as a hitter. The Dodgers temporarily placed Rushing on the injured list on August 3 after benching him before a game against the Boston Red Sox due to discomfort he experienced during warm-ups.
Doctors have not discovered any structural abnormalities with his elbow, boosting his confidence in a swift return. Rushing explained that though there's a history of elbow issues, recent scans have raised concerns about the muscle surrounding the injury, which will be the focus of his rehabilitation. The Dodgers have acquired Ben Rortvedt from the New York Mets to fill in for Rushing and injured All-Star catcher Will Smith, who is currently sidelined with a neck injury.
Smith is expected to return to the team in September, but Rushing's return timeline remains uncertain.
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