Reds Claim Backup Catcher Off Waivers from Dodgers

Reds Add Dodgers Catcher Ben Rortvedt from Waivers

Under the Radar Trade

The Dodgers acquired the backstop and two other pitchers from the Tampa Bay Rays on the eve of the trade deadline this past season in exchange for catcher Hunter Feduccia. Mostly a career minor-leaguer, Rortvedt was sent to Triple-A Oklahoma City to add to organizational depth.

Pressed Into Service

Things changed rather quickly when Will Smith fractured his finger on a foul tip, and Dalton Rushing took another foul off his leg. Rortvedt became a favorite of the pitching staff because of the way he ushered them through games. It was during his tenure in August that the Dodgers’ starting staff had an ERA of 1.00. The rotation was the linchpin to another World Series ring for Los Angeles in 2025. The light-hitting catcher, who had a .152 batting average, did have a couple of impactful hits during the stretch run for the Dodgers as well. However, baseball is a numbers game, and the Dodgers presumably won’t need three catchers on the roster to start next season. This quells the rumor that Rushing is on the trade block this winter.

Other Dodgers News and Notes

Tony Gonsolin, who was designated for assignment last week, has elected free agency. He made 78 starts in his Dodgers career and accumulated a 3.34 ERA. When fully healthy, he was almost unhittable. However, in recent years, health has been the exception, not the rule. The Dodgers appear to be counting on Gavin Stone and River Ryan to return to the starting rotation healthy and effective.

The Dodgers have been making lots of decisions in the past week, and it appears they are only getting started.