Gomes Open to Rushing Getting Opportunities in LF in 2026
To increase Rushing's playing time, he might be seen in left field (LF) next season.
LOS ANGELES, CA—One challenge the Los Angeles Dodgers front office will face this winter is finding a solution for the open outfield spot in their roster for the 2026 season.
While free agency and trade are the most logical solutions to that problem, the Dodgers could also theoretically solve it within, as the team already has a surplus of viable options.
The team might choose to use utilityman Tommy Edman in center field, which would require Andy Pages and Teoscar Hernández to cover the corner positions. Alternatively, they could give 27-year-old minor league outfielder Ryan Ward, who was added to the 40-man roster earlier this month, a chance. It also appears they could revisit the idea of deploying former top prospect Dalton Rushing in the outfield.
Dodgers General Manager Brandon Gomes mentioned that the team is still considering giving Rushing playing time in left field, along with other options already explored.
The door also remains open to backup catcher Dalton Rushing potentially getting some time in the outfield again, after he struggled with limited playing time behind Will Smith.
The Dodgers previously thought about deploying Rushing in the outfield. An initial plan to promote the 24-year-old to the Majors involved assigning him to play left field with Triple-A Oklahoma City towards the end of the 2024 season.
Rushing played 31 games at that position last year and appeared in two additional games in 2025 before being called up to the Dodgers roster. Though the Dodgers tested Rushing in various positions, Gomes has previously stated that the team views catcher as his long-term role and main focus.
Rushing recorded a batting line of .204/.258/.324 with five doubles and four home runs over 142 irregular at-bats with the Dodgers.
Although the young catcher struggled to deliver a strong offensive performance last season, he played a key role in the Dodgers’ behind-the-plate strategy. Without confidence in his hitting as a backup, the team wouldn’t have been comfortable resting Smith as frequently.
Since the team placed journeyman backup catcher Ben Rortvedt on waivers and he was claimed by the Cincinnati Reds, Rushing and Smith are now the only catchers on the 40-man roster. As a result, it appears he will serve as the backup at the start of the 2026 season.