Shohei Ohtani is not the Dodgers’ only pressing injury concern.
Shortly before first pitch on Saturday, the team scratched both Max Muncy and Dalton Rushing (who was set to serve as designated hitter in Ohtani’s absence) from its starting lineup for that night’s game against the Washington Nationals.
The good news: The team announced that Muncy was only “sick,” averting a more serious issue with their veteran third baseman.
Rushing, on the other hand, was battling “right elbow discomfort” –– the same elbow where he suffered a partial torn ulnar collateral ligament last month.
Rushing had been playing through the issue since the start of this week, returning to the active roster for hitting-only duties –– both as a pinch-hitter, and as an option at DH.
But now, his status is in doubt again, forcing the Dodgers to re-evaluate his health and their left-handed hitting options.
For Saturday’s game, Kiké Hernández was drawn in at third base to replace Muncy, while Alex Call was slotted into the DH spot for Rushing.
Rushing originally hurt his elbow a month ago, getting diagnosed with his slightly torn UCL after feeling pain while warming up for an Aug. 2 game.
While his injury had left his chances of catching again this year doubtful, he had been going through a throwing progression recently in hopes of getting back behnid the plate before the end of the season.
His scratch Saturday, however, came after he was seen playing catch in the outfield pregame.
Muncy’s sickness came much more out of the blue.
The slugger has been struggling lately, mired in a 1-for-22 slump over his last eight games. On the season, though, he has been one of the Dodgers’ most consistent hitters, batting .245 with 26 home runs, 68 RBIs and a .826 OPS.
