The Red Sox may have handed the Dodgers a quiet opening behind the plate.
Boston activated All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman from the IL on Tuesday and, with Connor Wong also in the mix, designated Jake Rogers for assignment. That move leaves Rogers on waivers after a brief stop in Boston, and it could put Los Angeles in position to pounce if it wants more catching insurance.
Rogers lasted just eight days with the Red Sox after arriving from the Baltimore Orioles in the trade deadline deal for Rutschman. In that short stint, the 31-year-old went 3-for-6 with two doubles and two RBI, but once Boston had its full catching group back, he was the odd man out.
The appeal for the Dodgers wouldn’t be the bat. Rogers owns a .199 career average. What he does bring is experience, a steady glove and the kind of low-cost, low-risk depth a team can use when things get thin at catcher.
And the Dodgers are thin.
Will Smith’s return remains unclear because of a lingering neck issue, and while Dalton Rushing may have avoided surgery, he’s most likely done catching in 2026. Los Angeles did bring back Ben Rortvedt and Hunter Feduccia at the deadline, but neither comes with the same level of seasoning Rogers has built up over the years.
In fact, Rogers has appeared in more regular season and playoff games than Rortvedt and Feduccia combined.
So Boston’s roster move may have created an unexpected chance for Los Angeles. If the Dodgers are interested, they could add a veteran backstop without paying a steep price. If they pass, it would signal confidence that Rortvedt and Feduccia can keep the position afloat until Smith is ready to return.
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