Dalton Rushing seems just as confused as Dodgers fans on long-term role in LA

The Dodgers must know that their plan for Dalton Rushing is unrealistic. Dave Roberts said that the goal was to get him 500 at-bats in 2026, but he doesn't even have a regular place to play. If not even primary catcher Will Smith got 500 at-bats last year, Rushing won't be able to do so stuck behind Smith and Freddie Freeman. Roberts ruled out the possibility of Rushing spending a few innings in the outfield.

But the Dodgers have also shut down most trade rumors. Outside of some distant chatter over the offseason that the Red Sox might be interested in him, LA hasn't appeared motivated to move him. That seems to signal that they're content to let their former No. 1 prospect languish as a backup until further notice.

Fans are confused, but evidently, so is Rushing. He said, "I by no means anticipate being a role player like this for my whole career, and I don't think they do either."

But ... what's the alternative?

Being this deep into spring training, the time for moving Rushing has probably passed. That isn't to say that the Dodgers can't do something surprising at any moment, but without any solid catching depth in the minors, they're sticking to their guns for now.

Dalton Rushing is looking to make a statement in 2026 as he adjusts to life as a Dodgers' backup catcher

Rushing said he was told to view his rookie season as an "internship," but pushed back on that a little. "I don't like viewing it like that, I don't like viewing this game as an internship," he said. "But at the same time, I see the perspective they were coming from, and the idea of what they wanted to do last year. They wanted to make sure I understand these guys as much as possible moving forward."

There's no reason to believe that 2026 won't sort of be an internship as well, though. After all, little to nothing is changing apart from the Dodgers adding the occasional start or substitution at first base behind Freeman.

Very few top prospects, no matter how high they're ranked by scouts, can expect a full-time job the second they get to the major leagues, but the problem with Rushing is that the Dodgers couldn't make space for them even if they wanted to.

And they do seem to want to, but they also put themselves in this position. Fans (and Rushing) are just waiting to see how they wiggle out.