The Los Angeles Dodgers designated catcher Ben Rortvedt, who won the 2025 World Series with the team, for assignment Tuesday morning. The catcher first arrived with the Dodgers at last season's trade deadline, and played a fair amount with Will Smith and Dalton Rushing suffering late-season injuries in 2025. He even appeared in the postseason during LA's World Series run.
Rortvedt's placement on waivers marks the third time the Dodgers have taken this action since the end of the World Series last season. The catcher first landed on waivers immediately after the World Series, when the Dodgers decided to keep just two catchers on their 40-man roster. Rortvedt eventually landed with the Cincinnati Reds.
The Reds designated him for assignment later in the offseason, though, prompting the Dodgers to claim him off waivers once again. His time with the team was short lived, though, as they designated him for assignment almost immediately after to make room for Evan Phillips, who they re-signed after a one-year deal. He went to the New York Mets after the Dodgers DFA'd him a second time, and began the season in Triple-A.
Back in Los Angeles, though, Smith and Dalton Rushing both went down with injured list once again before the trade deadline. Needing a catcher who is familiar with the organization to fill in for their injured catcher duo, the Dodgers sent right-hander Chayce McDermott to the Mets for their minor-league catcher — moving Rortvedt to the Dodgers at the trade deadline for the second time in as many seasons. Rortvedt, while a useful replacement player, served as the Dodgers' backup behind Hunter Feduccia after his arrival.
Smith and Rushing both returned from the injured list Tuesday, so the Dodgers had to get rid of Rortvedt to make room on the roster. Smith and Feduccia will split catching duties, while Rushing will largely come off the bench as an impact bat due to his UCL sprain. Rortvedt only featured 16 times for the Dodgers after arriving in Los Angeles, and had subpar numbers throughout those games.
He had a 1.85 batting average and .370 OPS, recording five hits and one RBI through 28 plate appearances. While many fans will be sad to see Rortvedt go, the Dodgers' offensive improvement with Smith and Rushing's returns surely cancels out the negatives. The Dodgers' offense has struggled through the last month or so, and the team will hope Smith and Rushing can help them turn things around before the postseason.
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