The Dodgers have spent the last few seasons getting reminded, the hard way, that catching depth is never optional.
In 2025, they went into the postseason with Ben Rortvedt as their starting catcher after a late-season injury to All-Star Will Smith. Then in 2026, injuries to Smith and Dalton Rushing pushed the club into the trade market at the deadline, where it brought in both Rortvedt and Hunter Feduccia. That kind of scramble clearly left a mark, and Los Angeles has moved early in free agency to shore up the position.
According to A & F Sports Agency on Instagram, the Dodgers have signed former Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Christian Cerda.
"A & F Sports Agency is proud to announce the signing of catcher Christian Cerda with the Los Angeles Dodgers!," the post read. "Congratulations, Christian!
Your hard work, dedication, and perseverance have opened the door to this exciting new opportunity. We’re proud to be part of your journey and excited for what’s ahead!"
Cerda is 23 and has spent the last five seasons in the Diamondbacks organization after originally signing with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2019. He started his pro career in the Dominican Summer League in 2021, then came stateside in 2022. During that 2022 season, Arizona acquired him in a trade that sent outfielder David Peralta to Tampa Bay; Peralta later spent the 2023 season with the Dodgers.
From there, Cerda climbed through the Diamondbacks system and spent all of 2025 in Double-A before playing the entire 2026 season in Triple-A. At Triple-A Reno this year, he appeared in 70 games and hit .234/.331/.361 with five home runs, 37 RBIs and a .692 OPS.
Over parts of six minor league seasons, Cerda has posted a .239 batting average with 42 home runs, 213 RBIs and a .752 OPS.
The move appears to be a minor league deal, and Cerda will likely head to Triple-A Oklahoma City. If he sticks there, he gives the Dodgers another layer of protection behind the big-league catching group and could be an option in 2027 if injuries hit again.
Los Angeles is entering the 2027 season with Smith and Feduccia as the likely catchers on the Opening Day roster. Rushing, who had surgery to repair a torn UCL, is not expected to be ready to catch until late July.
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