Ben Rortvedt’s latest stop with the Dodgers has taken another turn, and this time it sends him to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
After being designated for assignment on Tuesday when Will Smith and Dalton Rushing came off the injured list, the 28-year-old catcher cleared waivers on Thursday and was outrighted to the Oklahoma City Comets. He does have the right to refuse the assignment and elect free agency, but that path does not appear likely, since it would also mean giving up the rest of his MLB salary for this season.
It’s the third time in the last 12 months that the Dodgers have DFA’d Rortvedt. On the previous two occasions, he was claimed away by the Cincinnati Reds and the New York Mets.
Los Angeles had reunited with him at the trade deadline after acquiring him from the Mets for Minor League pitcher Chayce McDermott. Before that, Rortvedt had already spent a brief stretch bouncing between three organizations in a 12-day span, including a stop with the Dodgers from Feb.
6-11. He had been with the Mets since Feb.
The Dodgers also had Rortvedt on a $1.25 million deal to avoid arbitration, a move that was made before he was placed on waivers and suggested the club was hoping he would clear. Instead, his season has continued to be defined by movement more than stability.
In 27 at-bats with Los Angeles this year, Rortvedt hit .185/.185/.185. Across 34 games with the Dodgers over parts of two seasons, he has hit .211/.268/.276 with two doubles, one home run, five RBI and seven runs scored.
With Dalton Rushing not able to play the field right now, Hunter Feduccia stays on as the third catcher and the main backup behind Smith. Rushing has been out since Aug. 3 with a slight UCL tear in his right elbow, and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he is still reluctant to let him test high-intensity throws.
Rushing is limited to pinch-hit duty for now, though Roberts believes the second-year player can still help the club off the bench.
Rortvedt’s time with the Dodgers also left a mark beyond the stat line. He became a quick fan favorite in his first season in Los Angeles, with his walkup song drawing plenty of attention.
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