The Los Angeles Dodgers are navigating some choppy waters at the catcher position right now. With All-Star catcher Will Smith sidelined due to neck inflammation and no clear return date in sight, the team is feeling the pressure behind the plate.
Dalton Rushing, stepping into the spotlight in his first full MLB season, has been a bit of a mixed bag. While he's managed to keep his batting numbers respectable, he's also brought some unnecessary drama to the clubhouse. Meanwhile, Chuckie Robinson, who is currently backing up Rushing, has just started to find his rhythm, finally getting his first two hits after an 0-for-11 start to the season.
Beyond Robinson, the Dodgers' 40-man roster is lacking in catching depth. The Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers have Eliezer Alfonzo and Griffin Lockwood-Powell, but neither has tasted MLB action yet.
This shortage of seasoned catchers has stirred up talk of a potential move for a familiar face: Ben Rortvedt, now with the New York Mets. Rortvedt, who played a pivotal role for the Dodgers in 2025, could be the answer to their current predicament.
Last year, he was a postseason hero, stepping in when both Smith and Rushing were injured, and the Dodgers went undefeated in the games he started. His .429 batting average in those playoff appearances and his synergy with the pitching staff were key factors in their success.
Rortvedt’s journey has been a rollercoaster. After joining the Dodgers in a trade from the Tampa Rays in 2025, he was claimed by the Mets and has been playing with their Triple-A affiliate, the Syracuse Mets, since being designated for assignment earlier this year.
If the Dodgers decide to bring Rortvedt back, he would likely slot in as a backup catcher. But his experience and defensive prowess could be invaluable, especially if injuries continue to plague the team. Rortvedt’s presence could offer stability and reassurance behind the plate, something the Dodgers could use as they push into the second half of the season.
For Dodgers fans, the prospect of Rortvedt returning is intriguing. His familiarity with the team and proven track record in high-stakes situations make him an attractive option to bolster the catching corps. As the season progresses, keeping an eye on potential moves to strengthen this critical position will be essential for the Dodgers' championship aspirations.
In Other News...
Dodgers Suddenly Have A New Dalton Rushing Concern Against Padres
Dalton Rushing gave the Dodgers a boost in a 15-3 win over the Padres, going deep as part of a night that reinforced why the club has liked his bat. Even with the home run, though, the at-bat drew attention for reasons that had nothing to do with power, as the rookie looked uncomfortable enough for the Dodgers to take a closer look.
Dave Roberts and the team trainer eventually came out to check on him, and Rushing did not seem to want the interruption. He repeatedly waved them off and showed plenty of irritation in the moment, which leaves the Dodgers with at least a little concern heading out of a game that otherwise felt lopsided in their favor. [Read more 🡒]
Dodgers Make Another Statement Against Padres In Rivalry Win
The weekend finale between the Dodgers and Padres had the familiar edge of a division rivalry, and Los Angeles came away with another useful reminder of why these games still matter. A 4-2 win in San Diego gave the Dodgers the series edge for the season, with Emmet Sheehan working effectively on the mound and Mookie Betts providing the kind of multi-hit, run-producing night that keeps the offense moving in tight games.
Edgardo Henriquez finished it off with his first save of the season, a small but notable step in a bullpen role that can change quickly in a long summer. The Dodgers also had to keep surviving late pressure as the Padres kept finding ways to put runners in position to turn the game, which only added to the sense that this was less a tidy win than another hard-earned statement in a rivalry that rarely stays quiet for long. [Read more 🡒]
Dodgers Have One Lingering Pitching Question Fans Can't Ignore
The Dodgers are wrapping up a nine-game road trip in Sacramento with a three-game set against the Athletics, and the trip already has the feel of one that has done plenty to steady the club. They have clinched a winning road swing and keep sitting comfortably atop the NL West, so the focus is less on survival and more on fine-tuning the rotation as the schedule keeps moving.
Monday brings another look at the depth that has carried them through stretches of the season, with Lauer on the mound after six hitless innings in his last outing and a strong run since joining the Dodgers after being designated for assignment by Toronto. The middle game pairs Justin Wrobleski with Jeffrey Springs, who has been giving up too many home runs, and then Wednesday offers the part of the series that will draw the most attention as Shohei Ohtani is set to pitch while trying to bounce back from a rough stretch. [Read more 🡒]