The Los Angeles Dodgers have made another change to their catching group, sending veteran catcher Ben Rortvedt outright to Triple-A Oklahoma City after designating him for assignment earlier this week.
The Dodgers designated Rortvedt for assignment on September 1 as part of a series of roster moves that included the return of catchers Will Smith and Dalton Rushing from the injured list. On September 3, the club completed the move by outrighting Rortvedt to the Oklahoma City Comets. The Dodgers’ official transaction log confirms the assignment.
The decision brings an end to another brief major-league stint for Rortvedt in Los Angeles, although he remains within the Dodgers organization.
Rortvedt Was Acquired for Catching Depth
The Dodgers reacquired Rortvedt from the New York Mets on August 3, sending right-handed pitcher Chayce McDermott to New York in the trade.
Los Angeles made the move because its catching situation had become increasingly difficult. Starting catcher Will Smith had been sidelined with a neck injury, while Dalton Rushing was also unavailable because of an elbow injury.
Rortvedt therefore provided the Dodgers with an experienced option behind the plate during an important part of the regular season. MLB reported that the Dodgers brought him back specifically as part of their efforts to address their catching depth.
After the trade, Rortvedt was assigned to Oklahoma City on August 3 and then had his contract selected by the Dodgers on August 4.
His Second Dodgers Stint in 2026
Rortvedt’s return to Los Angeles was notable because it was not his first Dodgers stint.
The catcher had already spent part of the 2025 season with the organization after being acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays in a three-team trade involving Cincinnati. He eventually reached the majors for Los Angeles and became particularly important when the Dodgers experienced injuries at catcher.
After leaving the Dodgers following the 2025 season, Rortvedt moved to the Cincinnati Reds and was later claimed off waivers by Los Angeles again in February 2026.
The Dodgers designated him for assignment shortly afterward, and the New York Mets subsequently claimed him off waivers. After the Mets later designated him for assignment, Rortvedt was outrighted to Triple-A Syracuse before ultimately returning to Los Angeles at the trade deadline.
His transaction history illustrates how frequently his roster status changed throughout the 2026 season.
Dodgers Bring Back Will Smith and Dalton Rushing
The latest move became possible because the Dodgers’ catching situation improved significantly.
On September 1, Los Angeles activated Will Smith and Dalton Rushing from the injured list. The team also activated left-handed pitcher Justin Wrobleski and added infielder Alex Freeland to the active roster.
To make room, the Dodgers optioned outfielder Alek Thomas and designated Rortvedt for assignment.
Smith’s return was especially significant for Los Angeles.
The veteran catcher had been sidelined for an extended period because of an inflamed cervical disc in his neck. His absence forced the Dodgers to rely on other catchers while also dealing with Rushing’s injury. MLB described Smith’s return as one of several important reinforcements arriving as September rosters expanded.
With Smith back in the lineup and Rushing also returning, the Dodgers no longer had the same immediate need for Rortvedt at the major-league level.
Rortvedt’s Offensive Production
Although Rortvedt has provided defensive experience and catching depth, his offensive production during his latest Dodgers stint was limited.
He appeared in 16 games for Los Angeles during this latest run and struggled at the plate, contributing to the Dodgers’ decision to move him off the major-league roster once healthier catching options became available. Heavy highlighted his .370 OPS during the stint.
The Dodgers’ decision therefore appears to have been driven by a combination of roster needs, the return of injured players and Rortvedt’s limited offensive contribution.
What the Outright Assignment Means
Rortvedt’s move to Triple-A does not mean that the Dodgers have released him.
The sequence is important.
First, the Dodgers designated Rortvedt for assignment on September 1. A DFA removes a player from the club’s 40-man roster while the organization determines his next status.
The Dodgers then outrighted him to Triple-A Oklahoma City on September 3.
That means Rortvedt remains under the Dodgers’ organizational umbrella and will continue playing in the minor leagues. The official transaction record lists him as being sent to the Oklahoma City Comets.
This gives Los Angeles additional catching depth without using a major-league roster spot on Rortvedt.
Oklahoma City Becomes His Next Stop
Rortvedt is now back with the Oklahoma City Comets, where he can continue playing regularly while remaining available to the Dodgers if circumstances change.
The catcher was already familiar with Oklahoma City’s organization. Before his August call-up, he had been assigned there following the trade from the Mets. MLB’s minor-league transaction history records his August 3 assignment to Oklahoma City followed by his promotion to Los Angeles the following day.
That familiarity should make the transition relatively straightforward.
Why the Dodgers Needed Rortvedt in the First Place
The move also highlights how quickly roster priorities can change during the second half of an MLB season.
When the Dodgers acquired Rortvedt in August, the team was dealing with injuries to two catchers. His arrival gave the club a reliable emergency option and allowed Los Angeles to navigate a difficult stretch without being forced to rely entirely on inexperienced catching depth.
Now the situation is different.
Will Smith is back. Dalton Rushing is also available again. The Dodgers can therefore devote the major-league roster spot previously occupied by Rortvedt to another position or player.
Rortvedt Remains a Useful Organizational Option
Although the Dodgers have removed Rortvedt from their major-league roster, his experience still gives the organization an additional option.
The catcher has accumulated major-league experience with several organizations, including the Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays and Dodgers. MLB previously noted that he reached the majors with Minnesota in 2021 and subsequently played for the Yankees and Tampa Bay before joining Los Angeles.
His defensive experience could become valuable again if the Dodgers experience another injury behind the plate.
Therefore, the current move should not necessarily be viewed as the end of Rortvedt’s relationship with Los Angeles.
A Familiar Pattern for Rortvedt
The latest transaction continues what has been a particularly eventful period in Rortvedt’s career.
His 2026 transaction history includes multiple DFA decisions, waiver claims, outright assignments and trades. He began the year with the Dodgers, moved to the Mets, spent time in the minor leagues and then returned to Los Angeles at the trade deadline.
The September 3 transaction now sends him back to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
For the player, the immediate goal will be to continue producing at the minor-league level and remain ready should the Dodgers require another catcher.
Dodgers Focus on the Final Stretch
The timing of the move is also important.
September is a crucial part of the MLB schedule, with teams preparing for the postseason and attempting to maximize the depth of their rosters.
For Los Angeles, getting important injured players back is arguably more significant than retaining Rortvedt on the major-league roster.
The return of Smith and Rushing gives the Dodgers more flexibility behind the plate, while the additions of Wrobleski and Freeland further strengthen the team’s options elsewhere.
The roster adjustment involving Rortvedt is therefore part of a larger effort by the Dodgers to assemble their healthiest and deepest possible roster for the final portion of the season.
What Comes Next?
Rortvedt’s next step is straightforward: he will report to Triple-A Oklahoma City and continue playing there.
The Dodgers retain the ability to use him as organizational depth if circumstances change. A new injury at catcher, a need for additional defensive depth or another roster adjustment could potentially bring him back to the majors.
For now, however, Los Angeles has chosen to move forward with Smith, Rushing and its other catching options at the major-league level.
Final Takeaway
The Dodgers’ decision to outright Ben Rortvedt to Triple-A Oklahoma City is primarily a roster-management decision.
Los Angeles acquired him from the Mets at the trade deadline when injuries to Will Smith and Dalton Rushing created an immediate need for catching depth. Rortvedt subsequently received another opportunity in the major leagues.
Once Smith and Rushing returned, however, the Dodgers had less reason to keep Rortvedt on the major-league roster. His limited offensive production during the latest stint also made the decision easier.
Rortvedt is therefore heading back to Oklahoma City rather than leaving the Dodgers organization entirely. The official transaction was recorded on September 3, and he remains available as organizational catching depth.
For the Dodgers, the move signals that their catching situation has improved considerably. For Rortvedt, it represents another chapter in an unusually eventful 2026 season—but his MLB experience means another opportunity in Los Angeles could still emerge if the club needs him.
Leave a Reply