Catcher Ben Rortvedt, a fan favorite for the Los Angeles Dodgers, will remain with the organization after being designated for assignment and subsequently clearing waivers. The move allows the Dodgers to retain Rortvedt, who was recently reassigned to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Rortvedt was designated for assignment on September 1 to make room for catcher Will Smith's return from the injured list. Smith had been sidelined for three months. This marks the second time this season Rortvedt has been designated for assignment by the Dodgers, with the first instance occurring before the season began.
Despite the roster moves, Rortvedt was reacquired by the Dodgers from the New York Mets in August, prior to the trade deadline. The team expressed gratitude for his contributions, with manager Dave Roberts calling Rortvedt a "great teammate" and "a major league player." Roberts specifically noted Rortvedt's role in helping the team secure a championship the previous year. "I’ll always be grateful because he helped us win a championship last year," Roberts said.
During the 2025 season, the Dodgers faced a significant injury situation at catcher, with both Smith and Dalton Rushing landing on the injured list. Rortvedt was then elevated to the starting catcher role in September 2025, managing the pitching staff effectively. He recorded three hits, one RBI, and two runs scored in the wild-card series against the Reds, earning praise from Roberts, who dubbed him an "unsung hero."
Rortvedt's continued presence in the organization provides the Dodgers with added depth at the catcher position.