Dodgers Notes: Jack Flaherty Signs, Kiké Hernández Talks Free Agency, Yankees Owner Unimpressed With LA
Jack Flaherty’s free agency finally came to a close on Sunday, as he agreed to a deal with the Detroit Tigers to return to the team he spent the beginning of the 2024 season with.
In other free agency news,Dodgers free agent Kiké Hernández recently commented on the lull in his free agency process via social media.
And finally, New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner won’t praise the Dodgers for their aggressive offseason just yet. Steinbrenner believes the Dodgers have to avoid injuries in order for them to reap the benefits of all their signings.
Here’s all the latest Dodgers news and stories
Dodgers Lose Jack Flaherty, RHP Signs With Tigers on Two-Year Deal
Yankees Owner Says Dodgers Need to Have Injury-Free Season for Spending to Pay Off
Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernández Will Defend Home Run Derby Crown Under One Condition
Barry Bonds Thinks Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani Should Remain Only DH
Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani Reveals He Evacuated Due to LA Fires, Didn’t Get to Go to Japan This Offseason
Dodgers’ Kiké Hernández Reacts to Post About The Lull in His Free Agency
Dodgers’ Dalton Rushing Compared to 15-Year Veteran All-Star Catcher
Former Red Sox Exec: Mookie Betts Could Have Stayed if Boston Offered Deferrals Like Dodgers
Dodgers’ Dalton Rushing Compared to 15-Year Veteran All-Star Catcher
Before there was Roki Sasaki, catcher and outfielder Dalton Rushing was the Los Angeles Dodgers’ top prospect.
Rushing, who was named the Dodgers’ Minor League Player of the Year in 2024, is projected to make his MLB debut this season. Rushing is primarily a catcher but moved to the outfield for the first time in his career in 2024.
More News: Dodgers’ Kiké Hernández Reacts to Post About The Lull in His Free Agency
After the Dodgers promoted Rushing to Triple-A in late October, the 23-year-old made 27 of his 31 career starts at left field. With catcher Austin Barnes fulfilling the backup catcher role for the Dodgers, Rushing will likely serve as a designated hitter, first baseman, or outfielder for Los Angeles.
Barnes is in the final year of his contract with Los Angeles. Therefore, Rushing could claim the backup catcher role while also filling in at other positions throughout the 2026 season.
The No. 30 MLB prospect’s powerful bat and defensive prowess compares to 15-season MLB veteran Carlos Santana, according to MLB insider Kiley McDaniel.
Similar to Rushing, Santana was a catcher early in his career. But, the 2024 AL Gold Glove first baseman has not played as a backstop since 2014 with the now-Cleveland Guardians.
Santana also earned his first AL Silver Slugger and All-Star recognition in 2019 after hitting a career-high 34 home runs. Despite nearing the end of his career, Santana still ranks within the top 25 of several AL batting categories, including home runs (23) and on-base percentage (.328) in 2024.
