Dodgers Teammates Defend Dalton Rushing Amid ‘Villain’ Calls

Apr 6, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing (68) celebrates the win with Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas (72) against the Toronto Blue Jays at the end of the ninth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

What Have Dalton Rushing’s Teammates Said to Defend Him?

The veterans in the clubhouse have stepped forward in support of rushing, attributing the moments caught on camera to his competitive nature.

“Seventy, eighty percent of the players out there are saying things, but they’re not getting caught on camera often,” shortstop Miguel Rojas said. “We don’t want to really make a big deal out of him, because that’s not the guy that we’re seeing every single day inside the locker room.

“If that would be the case, I think we would have a problem. But I don’t think what’s going on and him going viral out there – it’s looking like every series he’s doing something – is the kind of guy that he is with us inside.”

First baseman Freddie Freeman also showed some support for Rushing.

“Dalton can sometimes black out on a baseball field, but he believes in himself,” Freddie Freeman said. “He cares so much about wanting to be good, so you can’t fault someone for that. That would just be taking away something from who Dalton Rushing is. So for me, I’m not gonna ever tell him not to do that. I mean, maybe watch what you’re saying on cameras, you know, and stuff like that.

“You just try and throw up some bumpers in the bowling lane.”

Has Dalton Rushing Backed Up His Talk on the Field?

Rushing has been much more vocal this season compared to last, but has also been far more productive on the field.

He has hit seven home runs, three more than last season, in just 19 games, and also has 17 RBIs. He still has an OPS above 1.000, and is batting .328 in 58 at-bats. His bat has definitely cooled down a little bit since his blazing start to the season, but he has still managed to maintain a regular spot in the Dodgers’ lineup as a valuable bat and will surely continue to slot in throughout the remainder of the season.

Do you think Dalton Rushing is a villain? Or is MLB’s online community overreacting?