The Los Angeles Dodgers brought catchers Ben Rortvedt and Hunter Feduccia back to the organization at the trade deadline, and it isn’t a coincidence that both have experience with the team.
“It’s part of the reason we acquired them,” Dodgers bench coach Danny Lehmann said. “Having both of them be familiar with the system and how we go about things, it’s way easier, especially in a time like this.”
The Dodgers had a busier deadline than expected after Dalton Rushing suffered a “slight tear” in his UCL, potentially knocking him out for the remainder of the season. They knew exactly what they had to do, though, and prioritized familiarity with the pitching staff.
“Both guys have had familiarity with our staff,” general manager Brandon Gomes said. “It was really important to kind of come in and fit right into the clubhouse.”
Neither Rordtvedt nor Feduccia were very expensive, as Rortvedt had spent all season in Triple-A with the Mets while Feduccia had just been knocked down the depth chart after the Tampa Bay Rays acquired breakout catcher Liam Hicks from the Miami Marlins.
They immediately got thrown into the fire after their arrival, as Rortvedt started Tuesday—the day following the deadline—and Feduccia is playing in Wednesday’s series finale against the Chicago Cubs.
Why Did the Dodgers Need Another Catcher?
The Dodgers still had options at catcher after Dalton Rushing went down with injury, as Eliezer Alfonzo and Chuckie Robinson have both featured for the MLB club this season, but neither player has performed especially well through their short stints in MLB.
Robinson had a .174 OPS through eight games, and Alfonzo—while better—had a mark of just .444. Rortvedt and Feduccia are both plus defenders with slightly below average bats, and will likely perform better than the two catchers the Dodgers had available prior to the deadline.
Rortvedt last played in MLB for the Dodgers last season, playing 18 games with a .636 OPS, while Feduccia had a .646 OPS through 60 games with the Rays this season.
The Dodgers took no risks at the deadline, and are ensuring they’re still in prime position for a favorable postseason seed come October. The depth chart is sure to change upon Will Smith’s return, whenever that may be, but for the time being, the Dodgers’ biggest issue is solved.
