The Dodgers kept both Ben Rortvedt and Alek Thomas in the organization after a pair of roster squeezes sent each player through waivers and into outright assignments at Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Thomas was the first to get caught in the shuffle when Los Angeles made a wave of moves on the opening day active rosters expanded. He was optioned to Oklahoma City, then later designated for assignment when the Dodgers needed space on the 40-man roster for Bobby Miller.
Both players cleared waivers and were sent outright to Oklahoma City, and according to OKC broadcaster and communications director Alex Freedman, each accepted the assignment to stay with the Dodgers.
Thomas was back in the Comets’ lineup on Tuesday night and went 1-for-3 with a double and a walk in his return. The outfielder had homered three times from Sept. 2-3 and is now riding a season-best nine-game hitting streak.
Thomas had the ability to decline the minor league assignment and become a free agent because he had already been designated for assignment before, by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Arizona then traded the former heralded prospect to the Dodgers in May.
His decision to remain in the Dodgers’ system was hardly a surprise. Thomas had spoken highly of the organization, and leaving now would have cost him postseason eligibility with a new club because he missed the 9 a.m.
PT deadline on Sept. 1.
Rortvedt was in a similar spot. The backup catcher has been shuffled on and off the Dodgers’ 40-man roster multiple times, but this time he also chose to stay put rather than test free agency.
If Rortvedt had refused the assignment and become a free agent, he would not have been postseason eligible with another team, and he also would have given up the rest of his MLB contract for 2026.
The 28-year-old signed a $1.25 million deal with the Dodgers in the offseason to avoid arbitration. The move also appeared designed to help him get through waivers when he was designated for assignment in November, though the Cincinnati Reds still claimed him.
Rortvedt staying in the organization could trigger more catching moves for Los Angeles. Dalton Rushing has landed back on the 10-day injured list with right elbow discomfort, though the Dodgers expect him to return in time for the playoffs. Even so, the team has decided he will no longer continue a throwing progression in order to get back to catching.
Eliezer Alfonzo was recalled, but it would not be a surprise if the Dodgers try to bring Rortvedt back onto the roster. The challenge is fitting him in, since the club is already dealing with a crowded 40-man roster.
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