--- title: "Dodgers' Dalton Rushing to call pitches as Ohtani makes first start Friday" description: "Rookie catcher Dalton Rushing gets the start behind the plate when Shohei Ohtani takes the mound for the Dodgers in his first pitching appearance with the club." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/dodgers-dalton-rushing-to-catch-shohei-ohtani-s-start-frida-ffa806b6 published: 2026-07-03T06:12:56.366+00:00 updated: 2026-07-03T06:12:56.366+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["baseball"] --- # Dodgers' Dalton Rushing to call pitches as Ohtani makes first start Friday > Rookie catcher Dalton Rushing gets the start behind the plate when Shohei Ohtani takes the mound for the Dodgers in his first pitching appearance with the club. Shohei Ohtani will toe the rubber for the Dodgers on Friday, marking his first pitching start in a Los Angeles uniform. Dalton Rushing, the rookie catcher, has been tabbed to start behind the plate for the marquee matchup, giving the 24-year-old backstop his first big-league call behind Ohtani’s fastball-slider arsenal. The assignment lands Rushing in the spotlight as Ohtani adapts to pitching in a new uniform after starring primarily as a hitter in his first season with the club. Ohtani’s transition from designated hitter to starting pitcher has been closely watched since he inked a record-breaking $700 million deal in December. Friday’s start against the Padres at Petco Park will be his first official mound appearance as a Dodger, capping months of preparation and simulated games. The Dodgers have not announced the full lineup, but the pairing of Ohtani and Rushing is expected to draw extra attention from scouts and fans alike. Rushing, drafted in the second round out of Tennessee in 2022, has appeared in 21 career games but has yet to log significant playing time behind the plate for an established starter. His pitch-framing and game-calling will be tested against a Padres lineup featuring stars like Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado. The rookie’s ability to handle Ohtani’s mid-90s fastball and split-finger changeup could set the tone for his development as a primary catcher. Ohtani, who posted a 3.14 ERA and 167 strikeouts in 130.1 innings as a pitcher in Japan, has worked extensively with pitching coach Mark Prior this spring to refine his mechanics and command in MLB. The Dodgers have emphasized that Ohtani’s role as a two-way player is not limited to designated hitter duties, and Friday’s start is the first tangible step toward that vision. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts called the matchup “a great opportunity” for both players, noting that Rushing’s preparation has been thorough. “Dalton’s shown a lot of poise in camp,” Roberts said. “This is a chance for him to step up and for Shohei to show what he can do on the mound in this uniform.” ## Why this matters This is a defining moment for two players at different stages of their careers. For Ohtani, it’s the first public test of his transition from hitter to full-time pitcher, a role the Dodgers paid a premium to see. For Rushing, it’s a chance to prove he can handle the most demanding job in baseball: calling pitches for a generational talent. The game’s outcome—win or lose—will shape narratives around Ohtani’s versatility and Rushing’s readiness, with long-term implications for the Dodgers’ lineup and pitching staff. ## Frequently asked ### Why is Dalton Rushing catching Shohei Ohtani’s first start? Rushing has been the Dodgers’ top catching prospect since being drafted in 2022 and has impressed in camp. Manager Dave Roberts tabbed him to start behind the plate for Ohtani’s first pitching appearance, signaling confidence in his game-calling and receiving skills. ### How many times has Ohtani pitched in MLB before? Ohtani has never pitched in an MLB regular-season game. He pitched exclusively as a hitter in his first season with the Dodgers in 2024, appearing in 140 games as a designated hitter or outfielder. ### What’s at stake for the Dodgers in this game? Beyond the win, the Dodgers are showcasing Ohtani’s two-way potential. A strong outing could validate their investment in his pitching role, while Rushing’s performance could accelerate his development as a primary catcher. ### Who are the key Padres players to watch in this game? Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado headline the Padres’ lineup, both of whom have had success against Ohtani in past matchups. Their approaches at the plate will be critical in testing Ohtani’s command and pitch sequencing. ### How has Ohtani prepared for this start? Ohtani has worked with pitching coach Mark Prior to refine his mechanics and command this spring. He’s also thrown simulated games and bullpen sessions to simulate game-like conditions before Friday’s start. ### What’s Rushing’s career trajectory as a catcher? Rushing was drafted out of Tennessee in 2022 and has appeared in 21 MLB games, primarily as a defensive replacement. His pitch-framing and game-calling have been praised, but Friday’s start is his first significant opportunity behind an ace-caliber starter. ## Sources & Citations - [Dodgers' Dalton Rushing to catch Shohei Ohtani's start Friday](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/49254636/dodgers-dalton-rushing-catch-shohei-ohtani-start-friday) — ESPN (2026-07-03) --- Cite: Dodgers' Dalton Rushing to call pitches as Ohtani makes first start Friday. Sportopod, 2026-07-03. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/dodgers-dalton-rushing-to-catch-shohei-ohtani-s-start-frida-ffa806b6