The Dodgers made a flurry of roster moves and the biggest one was the long-awaited return of Will Smith.
Smith, Dalton Rushing and Justin Wrobleski were all activated from the injured list, while infielder Alex Freeland was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City and center fielder Alek Thomas was optioned. To make room for Smith on both the active roster and the 40-man roster, catcher Ben Rortvedt was designated for assignment.
Smith is back after missing nearly three months with disc inflammation in his neck. What first looked like a relatively small issue turned into a much longer absence than expected.
He began a rehab assignment last week and played five games for Oklahoma City, going 4-for-16 with a home run. Before the injury, he was hitting .249/.338/.382 for the Dodgers, a solid line that was a little below his usual level.
Rushing’s return is notable for a different reason. He has been sidelined since deadline day with a partial UCL tear in his throwing elbow, and he’s coming back without a rehab assignment.
With about a month left before the postseason, the Dodgers will try to get him up to speed quickly. He hasn’t been cleared to throw and may not catch again this season, but he still gives Los Angeles a left-handed bat off the bench.
Even so, opportunities at designated hitter figure to be limited.
The catching shuffle pushed Rortvedt out. Los Angeles brought in Rortvedt and Hunter Feduccia to share the catching duties in August, but Feduccia has hit better and will remain in the backup role behind Smith.
Rortvedt managed five hits, all singles, in 28 plate appearances. In 243 major league games, he’s a career .189/.275/.266 hitter.
The Dodgers plan to place Rortvedt on waivers this week and are hoping he clears and accepts an assignment back to Oklahoma City as depth for the final month and change. That outcome is very possible, since he’s out of options and any claiming team would have to keep him on the active roster. If he does accept a minor league assignment for September and October, he’d be eligible for minor league free agency at the start of the offseason.
In Other News...
Dodgers Roster Shakeup Just Squeezed Out One Veteran Role Player
The Dodgers latest roster move brought some needed depth back into the mix, with catchers Will Smith and Dalton Rushing and left-hander Justin Wrobleski all coming off the injured list. Los Angeles also recalled infielder Alex Freeland from Triple-A, giving the club another versatile piece as it juggles the back end of the roster.
To clear space, the Dodgers designated catcher Ben Rortvedt for assignment, a reminder of how quickly the margins can tighten when injured players return at once. Outfielder Alek Thomas was sent to Triple-A as part of the same reshuffle, while top prospect James Tibbs III stays put there for now as the organization continues to sort out its next wave of options. [Read more 🡒]
Dodgers Chose Caution With A September Call-Up Fans Wanted More From
The Dodgers had a chance to make their September roster move feel a little more electric, but instead they leaned into a safer, more practical option. Rather than bringing up one of the more buzzed-about young bats in James Tibbs III or Josue De Paula after Dave Roberts hinted a left-handed hitter might be on the way, the club recalled infielder Alex Freeland. It is the kind of choice that says as much about roster flexibility as it does about patience.
Freelands recent Triple-A numbers have been more modest than the kind of run that typically forces a promotion, while Tibbs has been the hotter name for those looking for a bigger jolt. Still, the Dodgers seem content to take the longer view with their top prospects for now, even if it means leaving fans to wonder when the next wave of youth will arrive. The move also keeps the outfield picture a little cleaner for Tommy Edman, which may have been part of the calculus all along. [Read more 🡒]
Dodgers Fans May Get To Enjoy Arizonas Clubhouse Mess Even More
Ketel Martes latest absence before an Arizona Diamondbacks game in Boston last month added another twist to a season that has already featured more than a little clubhouse tension. Marte did return, spoke with reporters and teammates, and brushed off the idea that he needed to explain himself to fans who booed him, but the episode only kept the spotlight on a situation the Diamondbacks have been trying to contain while staying in the playoff race.
For Dodgers fans, the intrigue is obvious because Arizona is still close enough to a postseason spot that every bit of internal friction matters. The Diamondbacks appear to be handling Marte carefully to keep him on the field through the final month of the regular season, but the questions around his status and how the club manages him are not going away anytime soon. [Read more 🡒]