Mets Add Catching Depth with Ben Rortvedt Claim, Make Roster Move for Injured Núñez
**PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla.
** - The Mets made a quiet but notable move to shore up their catching depth on Sunday, claiming Ben Rortvedt off waivers from the Dodgers. It’s the kind of under-the-radar transaction that doesn’t make headlines in February, but could matter down the road-especially in a position as physically demanding as catcher.
Rortvedt, 28, arrives in Port St. Lucie with a World Series ring in hand after spending last fall with the Dodgers.
He’s bounced around a bit during his four-year big-league career, including a stint with the Yankees in 2023, but his calling card has always been his glove. Pitchers like throwing to him, and that matters.
To make room on the 40-man roster, the Mets placed right-hander Dedniel Núñez on the 60-day injured list. Núñez underwent Tommy John surgery last summer, so this move was expected-he won’t be in the mix for the big-league club anytime soon.
As for Rortvedt, he enters a catching room that already has its top two names penciled in. Francisco Alvarez, the 22-year-old rising star, is locked in as the starter.
Luis Torrens, with his experience and steady presence, is the favorite to back him up. That leaves Rortvedt in a bit of a roster limbo.
He’s out of minor-league options, which means the Mets can’t stash him in Triple-A without exposing him to waivers again. So unless something changes-like an injury or a surprise spring performance-he’ll either need to make the Opening Day roster or be designated for assignment.
Veteran Austin Barnes is also in camp on a non-roster invite, giving the Mets another familiar face behind the plate. Like Rortvedt, Barnes was with the Dodgers last season and brings postseason experience to the table.
Then there’s Hayden Senger, who rounds out the catching group on the 40-man. Senger saw limited big-league action last year-33 games as the team’s third catcher-but spent most of the season with Triple-A Syracuse.
Offensively, Rortvedt hasn’t made much noise. He owns a career batting average of .190 with a .549 OPS and nine home runs across 227 MLB games.
But that doesn’t tell the full story. His value lies in his defense, game-calling, and ability to control the run game-traits that can be crucial over a long season, especially when injuries inevitably test a team’s depth.
For now, Rortvedt gives the Mets another layer of insurance behind the plate. And while the road to a roster spot is steep, especially with Alvarez and Torrens entrenched, spring training has a way of shaking things up. If Rortvedt can flash his defensive prowess and handle the Mets’ pitching staff with confidence, he’ll at least give the front office something to think about.
In the meantime, the Mets continue to build out their roster with an eye toward durability and depth-two things every contender needs, especially at catcher.