Dodgers Facing Dilemma After Trade With Mets

Scott Marshall-Imagn Images

Dodgers Facing Dilemma After Trade With Mets

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Miracle Dimwesh | Last updated Aug 3, 2026 3:14 PM ET

The Los Angeles Dodgers are weighing their next roster move after reacquiring catcher Ben Rortvedt from the New York Mets ahead of Monday's series opener against the Chicago Cubs. While the trade itself is complete, the club must now decide whether to keep Rortvedt on the active roster or send him to Triple-A Oklahoma City until he's needed.

The decision comes as Los Angeles continues to manage injuries behind the plate. According to Los Angeles Times beat writer Jack Harris, promoting Rortvedt now could create another roster headache once Will Smith is ready to return from the injured list, since the Dodgers would likely need to designate him for assignment to clear space.

If Dodgers put him on the active roster now, he'd have to be DFA'd and placed on waivers again once Will Smith returns (assuming Dalton Rushing doesn't also wind up on IL)

Better to make sure he stays in org and is an option if needed in October. For now, his immediate status… https://t.co/nKp8kVO1al
— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) August 3, 2026

Because Rortvedt was not on the Mets' 40-man roster before the trade, the Dodgers can option him directly to Triple-A without exposing him to waivers. That flexibility gives president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman another option as the club evaluates its catching depth.

Rortvedt has spent the season at Triple-A, batting .235 with a .340 on-base percentage, six home runs and 26 RBIs in 48 games. He has yet to appear in a major league game during the 2026 season but would provide experienced depth if injuries continue to pile up.

The timing of the decision is tied to the health of the Dodgers' current catchers. Smith remains sidelined after landing on the injured list with an inflamed disc in his neck and is still working toward a return. Rookie Dalton Rushing, meanwhile, was scratched from Sunday's lineup with right arm soreness, leaving his availability uncertain entering the Cubs series.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts (30) Scott Marshall-Imagn Images

The Dodgers entered Monday with a 69-43 record, maintaining a comfortable lead atop the National League West despite being swept by the Boston Red Sox over the weekend. Preserving depth behind the plate remains a priority as they prepare for another postseason push.

If Rushing is available, Los Angeles can keep Rortvedt at Triple-A as insurance until Smith returns. If Rushing's injury requires an injured list stint, however, the Dodgers may have little choice but to add Rortvedt to the active roster immediately, making the club's next move one of its first major post-deadline decisions.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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