Why the Dodgers Should Be Watching Ben Rortvedt’s Waiver Wire Journey-Closely
At the end of the 2025 season, Ben Rortvedt wasn’t just filling a spot on the Dodgers’ roster-he was quietly solving problems. He stepped in, meshed seamlessly with a high-profile pitching staff, and delivered in key moments.
Let’s not forget: he was behind the plate for Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s near-no-hitter and Tyler Glasnow’s seven no-hit innings. That’s not a coincidence.
That’s a catcher earning trust in real time.
Offensively, Rortvedt chipped in enough to turn heads, and when it came time to build the postseason roster, the Dodgers made a telling choice. Rortvedt got the nod over Dalton Rushing, appearing in four playoff games from the Wild Card round through the NLDS. That decision spoke volumes about how the organization valued his presence behind the plate in high-leverage situations.
Now, fast forward to the present: Rortvedt’s on the move again. After being quietly placed on waivers in November, he was claimed by the Reds. But his stay in Cincinnati may be short-lived-they designated him for assignment on Tuesday to make room for Eugenio Suárez, who’s back on a one-year deal.
Here’s where things get interesting for the Dodgers.
If Rortvedt clears waivers and ends up back in the Reds’ system, he has the right to reject a Triple-A assignment and test free agency. That’s a window the Dodgers should be ready to jump through. Whether it’s bringing him back on a minor league deal or working out a small cash trade before another team steps in, there’s a clear case for reuniting with a player who’s already proven his value in their system.
The catching depth behind Will Smith has thinned out considerably. After Rortvedt’s departure, the Dodgers were left scrambling.
Chuckie Robinson-who bounced around via DFA and outright assignments-returned to the organization, but he doesn’t bring the same major league experience or clubhouse familiarity that Rortvedt does. And last season showed just how fragile the catching situation can be.
Smith went down with an injury, Rushing followed, and suddenly Rortvedt was the guy holding the position together.
The Dodgers still view Rushing as a future cornerstone, and they’ve made it clear they want to get him regular at-bats in 2026. That’s understandable. But it also means they passed on the chance to use him as a trade chip-potentially for someone like Steven Kwan-because they’re betting on his long-term upside.
That bet makes a lot more sense if there’s a safety net in place. And Rortvedt is that net.
No one’s calling him a star. He doesn’t need to be.
On a Dodgers roster loaded with firepower, what they need from a backup catcher is reliability, familiarity with the staff, and the ability to step in without the team missing a beat. Rortvedt has already proven he can do that.
If he becomes available, the Dodgers shouldn’t hesitate. Whether it’s a minor league deal or a quick trade, bringing Rortvedt back would be a low-risk, high-reward move that strengthens one of the few areas on the roster that still feels a little too thin.