The Dodgers made a flurry of moves on Tuesday as rosters expanded for September, the most surprising of which was activating catcher Dalton Rushing (sprained right elbow) off the injured list.

The Dodgers also activated catcher Will Smith (neck) from the IL, optioned outfielder Alek Thomas to triple-A Oklahoma City and designated catcher Ben Rortvedt for assignment. With two extra active roster spots for the rest of the season, the team activated left-handed pitcher Justin Wrobleski from the IL and recalled infielder Alex Freeland from triple A.

“If you’re looking at positional value, versatility, right versus left, some power potential, I think that we’ve got a lot of the bases covered,” manager Dave Roberts said. “Now it’s just, the carriers, the guys that essentially play every day, need to just perform. But I think that on the peripheral, putting the positional player group together, I like it a lot.”

Rushing, who has been on the IL since early August, has been working through a hitting progression, and according to Roberts, has also started a throwing program. But Roberts indicated over the weekend that he wasn’t necessarily expecting Rushing to be ready to be activated Tuesday.

Rushing, however, said at least on the offensive side he never doubted that he could return. He’s set to serve as a left-handed bat off the bench while continuing to build up on the defensive side.

“From a hitting side, I think they felt comfortable with how much I’ve been hitting off [the pitching machine] and how much I’ve just really just been hitting over the last three weeks,” Rushing said. “The swing never really took a break. Usually, you hit the IL and it’s like you do nothing for a week or two, and thankfully for me, it was just no throwing, so I was able to still progress with the bat and feel as comfortable as possible. So I think making this call to allow me to obviously help us off the bench, I think, is an easier call for them.”

Rushing said he also mixed in “minimal” live batting practice sessions while the Dodgers were on the road. On Tuesday he faced closer Edwin Díaz (neck inflammation) before the Dodgers’ game against the Cardinals.

Rushing began playing catch again about a week ago, and he’s been throwing about 90-100 feet, while keeping track of his velocity.

“It’s been progressing really well,” Rushing said. “Very confident in returning behind the plate.”

Rushing has never been asked to exclusively serve as a pinch-hitter before. But he said this year — while serving as the primary catcher in Smith’s absence, and entering late in close games — he’s had a shift in mindset for coming off the bench to hit.

“Usually, if you’re pinch-hitting, there’s some sort of situation that goes into it, and how well can I play that situation?” he said. “You’re not really going up there to take your personal at-bat; you’re taking the team at-bat to figure out what is it we need? Do we have a runner on third? Or am I leading off an inning? Am I trying to get a rally going? So it’s understanding what is the task at hand right there, and taking your at-bat as a professional.”

The Dodgers still have catcher Hunter Feduccia on the roster, and he can serve as the backup to Smith while Rushing continues to build up on the defensive side.

“I’m not quite there yet on being totally bullish on him getting back [behind the plate],” Roberts said. “I’m hopeful. … I like where his head is at, though. He’s working hard to get there. But the controlled rehab is different than a snap throw, throwing a guy out at second base.”

Smith returns after being sidelined for almost three months by a nagging neck injury. The plan is for him to catch two of the three games against the Cardinals this week, Roberts said.

Wrobleski (left forearm inflammation), on the other hand, spent just over two weeks on the IL, as the Dodgers kept an eye on his workload for the overall season. He’s set to join the bullpen, where he’s expected to be in the postseason.

Freeland, a switch hitter, also provides a left-handed bat. And his addition improves lineup flexibility: when he plays second base, that could free up Tommy Edman to move to center field. The Dodgers don’t yet plan to set up a platoon with Teoscar Hernández in left field, Roberts said, despite his struggles against right-handed pitching.

“We didn’t bring up an outfielder,” Roberts said. “And I think that’s part of, for right now, the bet on Teo that he can right the ship.”