The Los Angeles Dodgers got Brock Stewart back off the IL on Monday, which felt like good news for about five minutes. Then the injury bug reminded everyone it doesn’t take days off.
Kyle Tucker and Dalton Rushing both left the Dodgers’ game against the Minnesota Twins early. Tucker’s exit was about his back, something he’s dealt with before. Rushing’s was scarier — he went into concussion protocol after whatever happened at the plate.
Dave Roberts talked to reporters after the game and tried to keep things from sounding catastrophic. On Tucker, he said he’s not overly concerned. The right fielder has felt this back issue previously, played through it, and even took a day off here and there. Roberts framed it as day-to-day, which is manager-speak for “we’ll see tomorrow.”
Rushing is a different story. He passed his initial concussion test, which is obviously good. But the protocol requires another test 24 hours later. Roberts was pretty blunt about it — he said it’s unlikely Rushing plays Tuesday. The Dodgers are planning to bring someone up just in case, though Roberts didn’t name who.
This puts the Dodgers in a weird spot. Will Smith is still recovering from his own injury, so the catching depth is suddenly thin. Andrew Friedman might have to make a call to someone like Ben Rortvedt, who’s currently with the Mets’ Triple-A affiliate. Whether that call happens is anyone’s guess.
The Dodgers actually won the game 2-1, which got lost in the injury talk. Roberts mentioned after the win that guys need to be ready when called upon, and that plenty of players stepped up. That’s true for one night. But if Tucker misses time and Rushing can’t go, the lineup starts looking different in a hurry.
Both situations are worth watching Tuesday when the team updates everyone on Rushing’s follow-up test and Tucker’s morning back check. For now, it’s a waiting game with a roster that can’t seem to catch a break.
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