Dodgers’ Dalton Rushing Hits Massive Grand Slam After Shohei Ohtani’s Pregame Challenge

Apr 15, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Dalton Rushing celebrates after hitting a grand slam home run in the eighth inning against the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

What’s the outlook for Dalton Rushing and the Dodgers?

Barring an injury, Rushing is likely to remain in a limited role.

It’s possible, though, that he could continue to DH when Ohtani pitches.

The MVP even complimented Rushing’s performance when interviewed about his pitching-only role after the game, as reported by Courtney Hollmon of MLB.com.

“Yeah, totally,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton. “I mean, we had a really good DH today, so I’m very open to that.”

Having a hitter like Rushing waiting in the wings, though, is depth that many other teams can’t match.

True, part of the plethora of talent on the Dodgers is due to a high payroll, but Rushing and starting catcher Will Smith were both drafted by the Dodgers out of the University of Louisville, making them homegrown talents, not splashy free-agent signings.

As explained by Dodgers Nation’s Nelson Espinal, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman’s ability to both develop and acquire talent is what sets the team apart.

“This is why the Dodgers are the best-run franchise in baseball,” Espinal wrote. “Andrew Friedman, rather than trading his prospects, keeps them and figures things out later. He kept Dalton Rushing even with Will Smith in the fold, and now Rushing is breaking out.”