Dalton Rushing Refuses to Let Umpires Cost Him Again Following Pitch Clock Fiasco

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing had an unfortunate strikeout on Tuesday night after a miscommunication with the umpire. On Wednesday, he needed another timeout, but this time, he took no chances. Rushing made deliberate eye contact with the umpire and held his hand out until he was granted the timeout.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dodgers Nation (@dodgersnation) What happened when Dalton Rushing called timeout on Tuesday? In the fifth inning, Rushing was hitting and asked the umpire for a timeout, which the umpire appeared to acknowledge and grant. Feb 23, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing against the Seattle Mariners during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale.

Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Rushing, however, was then called for a pitch-clock violation, resulting in strike three and the end of the inning. Video posted to social media appears to back up Rushing’s account of the incident, and it also captured his expletive-laden reaction in the dugout.

In a game the Dodgers lost 2-1 , that third strike could have provided one more opportunity for one of the Dodgers’ hottest hitters to get on base or even tack on what would’ve ended up being the tying run. Dave Roberts defended Rushing after the game After the game, manager Dave Roberts confirmed that Rushing was in the right, though he alleged no ill will on the part of the umpire. “Dalton called timeout, and I just saw the replay.