The Dodgers found a quick fix behind the plate on Monday, bringing back a catcher they already know well as they wait for answers on two injuries that have thinned out the position.
Los Angeles acquired Ben Rortvedt from the New York Mets in exchange for right-hander Chayce McDermott, a move that reunites the club with a player who became a surprise favorite during last year’s World Series run. For a team suddenly short on catching help, the fit is obvious.
Will Smith is dealing with a lingering neck issue, and Dalton Rushing is battling an arm injury that could land him on the injured list. That left Eliezer Alfonzo as the only healthy catcher on the active roster, making outside help less of a luxury than a necessity.
Rortvedt may not bring much with the bat, but he gives the Dodgers something they needed immediately: a major-league-ready catcher who already understands the organization, the pitching staff and what life looks like in a championship chase. He finished the 2025 season with Los Angeles and picked up his first World Series ring, earning a strong reputation among fans for his defense, preparation and willingness to handle whatever role the club asked of him.
That familiarity matters. Rortvedt already knows plenty of the pitchers, coaches and internal routines he’ll walk back into, which should make this transition smoother than most in-season moves.
His path back to Los Angeles was a winding one. After being claimed off waivers by the Mets in February, Rortvedt was outrighted off New York’s 40-man roster shortly before Opening Day. He then spent all of 2026 at Triple-A Syracuse, where he hit .233/.317/.411 with six home runs and two stolen bases in 48 games.
Those numbers don’t jump off the page, but the Dodgers weren’t chasing offense here. They were looking for dependable depth, and Rortvedt was a practical answer who could step into the clubhouse without a long ramp-up.
The biggest benefit may be the breathing room this gives Los Angeles with Smith. Neck injuries are tricky, and now the Dodgers have less reason to force anything with one of their most important players. If Smith and Rushing can avoid long absences, Rortvedt gives them the cushion to wait it out.
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