The Los Angeles Dodgers received a potential rift on their hands. This one involving stars Shohei Ohtani and Dalton Rushing. Both visibly endured a heated moment against the Minnesota Twins Wednesday.
One ex-manager is downplaying any tensions involving the Dodgers stars, though.
World Series winner from 2016 Joe Maddon weighed in on Ohtani versus Rushing. He did take the side of the pitcher during his appearance on Foul Territory.
“Shohei Ohtani knows what he’s doing. It makes the catcher’s job easier if they just follow him,” Maddon said.
But he blasted any thought that there’s tensions inside the Dodgers’ locker room.
“A lot of this is a product of social media,” Maddon said, adding moments like these get handled in the locker room and are capable of going away quickly.
"Shohei Ohtani knows what he's doing. It makes the catcher's job easier if they just follow him."
Joe Maddon believes the disconnect between Ohtani and Rushing is a bad look, but it got a little overblown. pic.twitter.com/onm2Edl0nu
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) June 25, 2026
Rushing himself admitted to delivering a mistake-filled night against the Twins despite the narrow win.
“They always have my back. It’s embarrassing that I need support like that. Hasn’t been great as of late. I’m gonna be better,” Rushing said via Spectrum SportsNet LA.
"They always have my back. It's embarrassing that I need support like that… Hasn't been great as of late. I'm gonna be better."
Dalton Rushing (0-4, 3 K) talks with the media after the #Dodgers 4-3 win over the Twins. pic.twitter.com/iXGMn6kXHS
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) June 25, 2026
Rushing didn’t deliver a hit on four at-bat attempts, including striking out three times. The exchange between him and Ohtani added to his rough night.
The moment sparked over a clear disagreement over a pitch Ohtani threw. Yet Rushing admitted after the game he “didn’t do a great job” with Ohtani.
Manager Dave Roberts consoled Rushing following his rough offensive night. He told reporters that the catcher is enduring a “learning curve” in this league. But many LA fans will wonder what the chemistry is like between Ohtani and Rushing the next time the former takes the mound.
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