Shohei Ohtani's second outing as a pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers was nearly flawless, throwing just 18 pitches, with 12 strikes, and striking out two batters while allowing no runs or hits against the Washington Nationals. Rookie catcher Dalton Rushing praised Ohtani's explosive velocity and his independence in calling pitches during the game. Beyond his pitching prowess, Ohtani also shined at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a home run, triple, and a whopping five RBIs, contributing significantly to the Dodgers' 13-7 victory.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are gearing up for the trade deadline with an eye on bolstering their pitching staff, which has faced significant challenges lately. Their immediate needs center around acquiring either a reliable reliever or a solid starter to improve their rotation. Former MLB GM Jim Bowden has identified the Tampa Bay Rays as a potential trade partner, suggesting that Dodgers’ top prospect Dalton Rushing might be a key target. The Rays have struggled at the catcher position, where their current duo of Danny Jansen and Ben Rortvedt has underperformed, with Jansen posting a dismal .197 average and five home runs this season.

Rushing, although recently called up, has not yet matched Jansen's production and comes in with a minor league track record of hitting .308 with five home runs in Triple-A. Despite his current struggles, he is considered a long-term solution for the Rays. The Dodgers, equipped with Will Smith behind the plate, would likely not miss Rushing, making this trade scenario plausible. With the Rays holding a competitive 36-31 record, the urgency for them to find a solution at catcher is clear as they eye the coming weeks.

Shohei Ohtani took a significant step towards his return from elbow surgery, throwing live batting practice at Citi Field. Facing batters for the first time in nearly two years, he demonstrated his skills against Dodgers players, including Hyeseong Kim and Dalton Rushing. Ohtani struck out two batters but also walked one, showcasing a mix of breaking balls and fastballs. His performance drew attention from Dodgers coaches and executives, signaling a promising recovery. Signed to a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers, Ohtani's contract structure has sparked discussions about his value moving forward.