Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Ben Rortvedt, who the team reacquired at the trade deadline this year, elected free agency following the end of the 2026 season.
Rortvedt came at the deadline to patch a hole, as both Will Smith and Dalton Rushing suffered injuries towards the middle of the season. He only played 16 games in MLB this year, all of which came with the Dodgers after spending the first half of the year with the Mets’ Triple-A affiliate, posting a .370 OPS with five singes in his 28 at-bats.
The main reason the Dodgers targeted Rortvedt was his familiarity with the organization, as he also spent the latter end of last season with the team following a trade deadline deal. He played a key role for the team down the stretch in 2025, filling in as Smith and Rushing went down with injures in September.
Rortvedt played in 18 games last year for the Dodgers, posting a .636 OPS during that stretch. He also featured in four games during the postseason, logging three hits in seven at-bats while scoring two runs and driving in 1 run.
Why Didn’t Ben Rortvedt Stay With the Team After 2025?
Rortvedt, who established himself as a fan favorite last season, didn’t remain with the Dodgers after 2025, as the team designated him for assignment early in the offseason.
The Cincinnati Reds grabbed him off waivers, but they didn’t hold him for the entire offseason, placing him back on waivers during spring training. The Dodgers took another shot on him in spring training, but designated him for assignment once more after signing Evan Phillips.
Rortvedt’s final landing place of the offseason came with the Mets, and he remained with them until the Dodgers traded for him despite starting the season in Triple-A rather than MLB.
What’s Next For Ben Rortvedt?
Rortvedt, despite being a World Series winner and a player who cut out a role on one of the best teams this century, likely won’t command much attention during free agency.
His most likely plan of action is signing a minor league deal with any of the several teams who could use a veteran catcher, working to secure a spot on in MLB at some point during the 2027 season.
