Dodgers Dalton Rushing is expendable, Shohei Ohtani isnt now Rushing must adjust

MINNEAPOLIS – Shohei Ohtani has a problem.His regular catcher is injured.Lingering neck pain kept All-Star Will Smith from catching any of Ohtani’s last three starts, and he figures to miss at least a few more.For now, Ohtani has no choice but to throw to Dalton Rushing, Smith’s inexperienced and emotionally volatile backup.Ohtani’s frustration with Rushing came into sharp focus on Wednesday in a 4-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins at Target Field.The anger was visible in how he spoke to Rushing after a passed ball, in how he forcefully slapped his own head to signal that he wanted to challenge a ball call, in how he started calling his own pitches after a three-run second inning by the Twins.Suddenly, the 25-year-old Rushing’s career was at a crossroads.The burden to change won’t be on Ohtani.That responsibility is Rushing’s, and Rushing’s only. And if Rushing can’t figure out how to work with Ohtani without sending him into a rage, the Dodgers will find someone who will.In the 10 starts Ohtani made in which Smith was his catcher, he was charged with five earned runs in 61 innings.

In the three he made with Rushing behind the plate, he allowed nine earned runs in 18 ⅔ innings.Whether Rushing is actually responsible for Ohtani’s decline in form is beside the point.If Ohtani thinks he is, he is.Because Rushing is replaceable.

Ohtani isn’t.The contrition Rushing showed after the game was an indirect acknowledgement of this reality. “I didn’t do a great job from start to finish,” Rushing said.“Pretty embarrassing.”At some point, manager Dave Roberts stationed himself by Rushing’s side and wrapped his arm around the second-year catcher.

Freddie Freeman dropped by to console him.“It’s embarrassing that I need support like that,” Rushing said.“I’m a grown man.“I’m going to get better.”He said the right thing.A catcher is there to serve the pitcher, but does Rushing have the aptitude or temperament to do that?He be...