Shohei Ohtani and Dalton Rushing: What Happened and What’s Next

The Big Picture

Sometimes, teammates just don’t click at the right moment — and when those teammates are on one of baseball’s biggest stages, everyone notices. That’s exactly what happened when Shohei Ohtani took the mound with a young catcher named Dalton Rushing behind the plate. Things got messy, the internet exploded, and everyone had an opinion. Let’s break it all down.

What Actually Happened on Wednesday Night

Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ superstar, started a game as a pitcher against the Minnesota Twins. The catcher he was working with was Dalton Rushing, a young player filling in for the injured Will Smith.

Things didn’t go smoothly.

Here’s a quick timeline of the chaos:

• Ohtani and Rushing weren’t on the same page during the first two innings
• They got crossed up on a 101.7 mph fastball — the ball sailed past the catcher to the backstop, and the Twins scored their first of three runs in that inning
• Ohtani felt he had no confidence behind the pitch choices Rushing was calling
• Ohtani even tried to challenge a bad call by the umpire, while Rushing was visibly shaking his head — the call ended up being overturned in Ohtani’s favor

By the third inning, things were so out of sync that Ohtani started calling his own pitches. No input from the catcher. He called the shots himself for the final four innings — and was completely scoreless.

To put it simply: Imagine you’re trying to build a puzzle with a friend, but you both keep trying to force pieces that don’t fit. Eventually, one person just says, "Let me do it myself."

The Dugout Meltdown

The second inning disaster didn’t go unnoticed. Rushing was visibly frustrated, and teammates stepped in:

1. Freddie Freeman — spoke with Rushing
2. Mark Prior (pitching coach) — had a conversation with him
3. Brent Walker (mental skills coach) — also stepped in
4. Dave Roberts (team manager) — joined the conversations

These talks continued for over a day and a half after the game.

What Everyone Said About It

Dave Roberts (Manager)

"I think he was in the moment. I really feel that going forward, we’ll all be on the same page. They all care. Everyone cares."

Roberts believes Rushing got caught up in the intensity of the game and reacted emotionally. He’s confident the situation won’t happen the same way again.

Dalton Rushing (Catcher)

Rushing called the whole incident "embarrassing" — not just because things went wrong on the field, but because he needed his teammates and coaches to comfort him. This was not how he wanted to make headlines in his first full season in the major leagues.

Shohei Ohtani

Ohtani was more direct than usual, saying he felt no conviction behind the pitches he was throwing in the first two innings when Rushing was calling them. Later, he explained his decision to take over:

"There are really a couple of ways of communicating. One is by words, but the other way to be able to communicate is by example, and just taking the charge."

In other words: When words fail, show them how it’s done.

Why This Matters: The Numbers Don’t Lie

Let’s look at how Ohtani has performed with different catchers:

That’s a significant difference. It’s worth noting, however, that Ohtani was dealing with a blister on his finger and a swollen left knee during his starts with Rushing, which likely affected his performance.

Still, the contrast is hard to ignore.

So… Will Rushing Catch Ohtani Again?

Yes, "most likely," according to Dave Roberts.

Here’s the simple reason: They don’t have many other options.

• Will Smith (the main catcher) is injured with a disk problem in his neck and isn’t doing baseball activities
• The only other catcher available is Chuckie Robinson, a journeyman who’s been with six different organizations

Rushing has caught Ohtani’s last three starts, and the team is sticking with him.

Important Point: Being a good catcher for Ohtani specifically is apparently a very specialized skill. Roberts himself said, "Shohei is very particular about what he wants to throw." Most pitchers are more flexible, but Ohtani knows exactly what he wants — and he wants a catcher who can keep up.

What’s Going On With Rushing’s Season?

Rushing started his first major league season on fire — hot in April. But since May:

• His batting performance (measured by OPS) has dropped to .565 in 32 games
• He even had to leave a game early to be checked for a concussion (he wasn’t ultimately diagnosed with one)

He’s under a microscope. Everything he does — good or bad — ends up on the internet almost instantly.

The Takeaway

This story is really about the pressure of playing at the highest level. A young player is trying to prove himself, a superstar needs things done his way, and when those two expectations collide, emotions run high. The good news? The team doesn’t see this as a long-term problem. Everyone involved cares deeply, and everyone is working to get on the same page.

Summary

• Ohtani and Rushing had a rough game with visible miscommunication
• Ohtani started calling his own pitches from the third inning onward
• Rushing called the situation "embarrassing" and received support from teammates and coaches
• Despite the drama, Roberts confirmed Rushing will "most likely" catch Ohtani again
• Will Smith being injured limits the Dodgers’ catching options
• Ohtani is a unique pitcher who is very specific about his pitching preferences
• Rushing has struggled this season and is facing intense public scrutiny

FAQ

Q: Why did Ohtani start calling his own pitches?
A: He didn’t feel confident in the pitch calls Rushing was making, so he took control himself. He pitched four scoreless innings doing it that way.

Q: Why does the Dodgers team keep using Rushing with Ohtani?
A: Their main catcher, Will Smith, is injured. Their only other option is Chuckie Robinson, a journeyman with limited experience on the team. Rushing is really their best available choice right now.

Q: Is there a personal conflict between Ohtani and Rushing?
A: No. Both have said they care about the team and each other. The issue was about baseball communication and game-day intensity, not personal dislike.

Q: What is Dalton Rushing’s overall performance like this season?
A: He started strong in April, but his performance has dropped significantly since May. He’s struggling with both his batting and the intense pressure of being in the spotlight.

Q: When will Will Smith return from injury?
A: The team hasn’t given a timeline. Roberts said Smith isn’t even doing baseball activities yet, so he may be a while.