It May Be Time for the Dodgers to Give Dalton Rushing a Reset
It May Be Time for the Dodgers to Give Dalton Rushing a Reset
The young catcher has repeatedly let his emotions get the best of him lately.Karl Rasmussen|
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Los Angeles DodgersFor all of his heroics and superhuman qualities on the baseball diamond, one of Shohei Ohtani’s most impressive traits is his seemingly effortless ability to remain calm and collected at virtually all times. There’s hardly anything that fazes Ohtani, whether it be on the mound or in the batter’s box, and the care-free nature in which he plays the game is part of what makes him so special to watch.
That being said, the unflappable Ohtani was clearly a bit miffed Wednesday during his start against the Twins after he and catcher Dalton Rushing got their wires crossed early in the game. There was some noticeable miscommunication between Ohtani and Rushing in the second inning, resulting in a passed ball that scored Minnesota’s Tristan Gray.
In the very next at-bat, Ohtani gestured that he wanted to issue a challenge on a pitch he felt clipped the bottom of the strike zone. Rushing, rather animatedly, made clear he disagreed. In the end, Ohtani got his wish and was successful in overturning the call from home plate umpire Ryan Additon. Despite winning the challenge, Ohtani surrendered a two-run single to Kreidler just two pitches later, as the Twins extended their lead to 3–1.
Shohei's had enough of these non-challenges from Rushing. pic.twitter.com/K1uFNycp7t
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 25, 2026
With Rushing and Ohtani not in sync, the Japanese superstar opted to call his own pitches for the remainder of the game, seemingly not satisfied with what Rushing was calling behind the plate. The results improved dramatically from there, as Ohtani struck out the side in order in the bottom of the third and didn’t surrender a run for the remainder of his outing.
It was a rough night for Rushing, who also went 0-for-4 at the plate, and he acknowledged as much after the game.
Dalton Rushing is not pleased with himself pic.twitter.com/nidYX2jhZm
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 25, 2026
“Good thing [Ohtani] is as good as he is and he can take control of the game, but it’s pretty embarrassing,” he admitted to reporters.
Rushing could be seen in the dugout speaking with veteran first baseman Freddie Freeman, manager Dave Roberts and pitching coach Mark Prior after the incident, as they appeared to be giving him some words of support and advice.
“They’ve always got my back. Once again, it’s embarrassing that I need support like that. I’m a grown man, and it’s a pretty tough pill to swallow,” Rushing said of that interaction.
Rushing took accountability for his shortcomings on Wednesday, and although Roberts told reporters the young catcher didn’t have to worry about losing his role, perhaps that’s something that warrants further consideration from the Dodgers.
Rushing got off to a hot start this season at the plate, logging a 1.271 OPS in 15 games in March and April. In May, however, Rushing recorded a .385 OPS in 16 games and didn’t have a single extra-base hit. He’s hit just one home run in his last 39 games and has struck out 37 times in that span.
He’s also been at the center of some rather contentious moments, including an illegal slide at second base against the Pirates, which resulted in an automatic runner interference call, as well as an incident in which he appeared to have some out-of-line comments about Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya after failing to throw him out at second base.
Despite his strong start to the season, it seems as if Rushing may be in need of a reset, both mentally and physically, when Will Smith is ready to return from the injured list. Smith is the Dodgers’ starting catcher, but he’s been on the IL since early June with a neck injury. Unfortunately, his recovery hit something of a setback and he’s still not yet resumed baseball activities. When he does return to his duties behind the plate, however, it could be beneficial for the Dodgers to temporarily demote Rushing to Triple A as a means of getting him back on track.
Rushing is just 25 years old and has only played 100 games in the majors. With Smith on the shelf, the Dodgers are leaning heavily upon him at catcher, with rarely used Chuckie Robinson serving as the backup. They’ll need to continue utilizing that tandem for now, but when Smith is back up and running, it could be an opportune time to give Rushing some time in the minors.
There’s a lot of pressure that comes with catching for some of the best arms in MLB, particularly Ohtani. Rushing, who is a very emotive player, was clearly frustrated with his play on Wednesday night. A short stint in Oklahoma City could be exactly what he needs to get his confidence back. It would be a temporary move, undoubtedly, as Rushing is still a valuable member of the team. But it’s already a foregone conclusion that the Dodgers will be in the postseason, and they’ll want Rushing to have a clear head and a hot bat for the playoff run as they aim for a World Series three-peat. Allowing him some time in Triple A, where he logged a .953 OPS in 35 games last season, could be exactly what he needs.
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Published 15 hours ago | Modified 15 hours ago
KARL RASMUSSENKarl Rasmussen is a staff writer for Sports Illustrated. A University of Oregon alum who joined SI in February 2023, his work has appeared on 12up and ClutchPoints. Rasmussen is a loyal Tottenham, Jets, Yankees and Ducks fan.
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
