Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing moved to the injured list Monday, but the Dodgers prepared for this contingency during the deadline by trading for two catchers.
The Dodgers scratched Rushing from Sunday’s loss against the Boston Red Sox, citing arm irritation as the reason for his absence. The official reason, per manager Dave Roberts, is a mild elbow strain.
LA clearly prepared for this to happen, though, as they acquired catchers Ben Rortvedt and Hunter Feduccia—both of whom are familiar with the team’s pitching staff—just before Monday’s trade deadline. Per The California Post’s Jack Harris, the Dodgers will activate Rortvedt ahead of Tuesday’s game.
Rushing has taken on the majority of reps behind the plate since late June, as catcher Will Smith is also currently on the injured list with an inflamed disc in his neck. Rushing has played 74 games on the year, hitting 12 home runs and tallying 36 RBIs with an .810 OPS while hitting towards the bottom of the lineup.
Neither Rushing nor Rortvedt will play in Monday’s series opener against the Cubs, as Eliezer Alfonzo will bat ninth and serve as the Dodgers’ backstop.
When Did the Dodgers Get Ben Rortvedt Back?
The Dodgers acquired Rortvedt ahead of Monday’s trade deadline, sending Chayce McDermott—who they designated for assignment July 31—to the New York Mets for the Triple-A catcher.
Rortvedt first came to the Dodgers at last year’s deadline, and came up late in the year after injuries to both Rushing and Smith. He played 18 games for the Dodgers during the regular season, hitting one home run and posting a .636 OPS while playing a key part in their postseason push throughout September.
He also made four appearances in the playoffs, posting a 1.071 OPS through 10 plate appearances.
The Dodgers ultimately let go of him after the season, briefly bringing him back before they signed Evan Phillips in February, but he was a clear candidate for a return to Los Angeles—especially with the Dodgers’ injury troubles behind the plate.
Just before the end of the deadline, the Dodgers also acquired Feduccia in exchange for outfielder Jack Suwinski to further support their depth behind the plate.
Are you excited to see Ben Rortvedt back with the Dodgers?
