Multiple outlets say the Aug. 3 MLB trade deadline will be the clearest indicator of how much the Los Angeles Dodgers trust second-year catcher Dalton Rushing. Rushing has been the team’s fill-in starter for nearly two months, giving the organization visible, regular-season exposure to his performance over an extended stretch. The reporting notes that while there has been public support for Rushing during that run, the organization’s internal evaluation may not fully show until the deadline passes. The argument is that the Dodgers’ trade-market actions—whether they pursue catching help or stay with their current plan—reflect their level of confidence in Rushing as a longer-term option. With the trade deadline approaching, the focus remains on whether the Dodgers treat Rushing as sufficient at catcher or seek alternatives to adjust their roster. Overall, the articles frame Aug. 3 as a key date when Dodgers roster moves, or lack of moves, will clarify their trust in the former top prospect.