Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing could have gotten his second consecutive start Sunday with Freddie Freeman, but manager Dave Roberts opted to give recent call up recipient Ryan Ward the opportunity instead.Rushing wouldn’t have had it any other way.Per The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya, Rushing said Ward earned his spot and was going to suggest he got the start at first base anyways.Dalton Rushing wanted Ryan Ward to make his long-awaited debut for the Dodgers on Sunday instead of getting a start at 1B himself.That Dodgers culture is just special ?H/T @FabianArdayapic.twitter.com/TPaF5unjSS— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) April 20, 2026Ward rewarded his manager and teammates confidence in him with a strong outing, making a couple of nice plays on defense while also logging two hits and an RBI. Ward clearly had fun as well, speaking about how much he enjoyed the game after the contest despite the loss.“It was a lot of fun,” Ward said.

“From start to finish. The butterflies were there, for sure, to start the game. They went away, though. Once the game started it was like ‘Okay, it’s just baseball,’ so it was a lot of fun to be out there.”The outfielder turned first baseman has spent all of his time in professional baseball in the minor leagues since the Dodgers drafted him in 2019.

He has definitely proven his worth in Triple-A over the past couple of seasons, hitting 70 homers and driving in 226 runs during 2024 and 2025.He also got off to a good start in 2026, hitting four homers and driving in 14 runs through 18 games played.Apr 5, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing (68) celebrates with Dodgers third base coach/outfield coach Dino Ebel (91) while rounding the bases after hitting a two run home run against the Washington Nationals during the sixth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn ImagesWhy Did the Dodgers Call Ryan Ward Up?The Dodgers called Ward up ahead of Sunday’s game due to Freddie Freeman’s move to the paternity list.He was the natural selection, as he is already listed on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster, has shown he can consistently post productive numbers at a high level and plays first base.While he’s with the Dodgers now, though, his shot may not last for much longer.

MLB permits players to miss up to three games on the paternity list, so unless Ward does something dramatic to warrant a spot on the roster over the next game or two, he’ll be headed back to Oklahoma City.That’s not to say he can’t force his way back up, though, as a solid run of results could very well bring him back up to the majors at some point this season.When is Ward’s Next Opportunity to Impress?The Dodgers’ final game of a four-game set against the Rockies comes Monday at 5:40 p.m. PT, though whether or not he will be in the starting lineup is yet to be seen.LA’s current first base options, Ward and Rushing, are both left-handed, and as they’re facing a southpaw on the mound, it’s a toss-up as to which player Roberts will select for his lineup.The Dodgers have lost both of their last two games, and whichever players Roberts selects will have to contribute if they’re to split the series against the Rockies.Do you think Ryan Ward will start for the Dodgers on Monday?