The Los Angeles Dodgers claimed catcher Ben Rortvedt off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds on Friday, creating an interesting situation for backup catcher Dalton Rushing.
Rortvedt joined the Dodgers at the 2025 trade deadline, and stepped into a big role with a month remaining in the regular season. Rushing and everyday catcher Will Smith went down injured, leaving Rortvedt to step up, and he did just that.
The catcher played 18 games to end the regular season, and even worked in four postseason appearances.
Rortvedt doesn’t have any minor league options remaining, and is owed $1.25 million next year — meaning the Dodgers must either keep him at the MLB level or risk losing him by designating him for assignment.
The Dodgers now have three catchers on their 40-man roster, and designated Rortvedt for assignment to avoid this very situation earlier in the offseason. The current state of the Dodgers roster brings plenty of possibilities for the upcoming season.
What Can the Dodgers Do With Dalton Rushing?
With three catchers on their roster now, the most logical play for the Dodgers would be to start Rushing in the minor leagues next season.
While the catcher is a promising prospect and can also fill in at first base and in left field, he struggled to produce offensively due to limited playing time last season, and would develop better if he got more time on the field.
In 2025, Rushing batted just about the Mendoza Line and had a .582 OPS through 53 games last season. He also hit four home runs and had 24 RBIs during that stretch. Increased game time and a chance to rediscover his rhythm could be beneficial for the former No. 1 prospect’s growth.
The other solution is keeping him strictly as a backup for a few positions due to his versatility. On top of catcher — which Rortvedt would likely take over — he has played first base and left field in the minors, and has played serviceable defense at both positions.
The position is far from decided, though, as Rortvedt and Rushing will both be eager to prove they can take the spot behind Smith for the 2026 season.
Which of the two do you want to see more next year?
9 Responses
Rushing is trade bait….will be part of the package offered to pry Tarik from Detroit….
Rushing is not a left fielder. If he is, he and Teoscar Hernandez have had the same instructor. He might could play some 1st Base. But with Freddie Freeman there, he might get limited games a year knowing how much Freeman likes to play. Plus, Doc seemed to like Kike’ Hernandez as his back-up so if he is resigned, that means even less playing time there for Rushing. Rushing is a valuable asset and a trade chip as has been mentioned. He and Bobby Miller should be packaged and given a chance somewhere else, preferably in the American League. If that can be part of a Skubal deal, then great but I see less and less chance of that happening anytime soon.
Ben Rortvedt is most welcome. He performed good as a backup for Smith. Please do not trade Rushing. He needs playing time to get batting opportunities. Try him out in the outfield and platoon him with T. Hernandez
Blue
Getting Ben Rortvedt back is a good decision. He performed good replacing Smith last season. Please do not trade Rushing. He needs more playing time to increase his batting opportunities. Try him out in outfield where he can platoon with T.Hernandez
Rortvedt is a pedestrian catcher, whereas, Rushing has the higher ceiling and the ability to be a star. The Dodgers never gave the kid a fair shot, especially after he got hurt.
It’s hard to perform in the big leagues. Rushing had plenty of opportunities, he just has to not miss when the ball is in the zone. Glad Ben is back!
Rortvedt has proven himself to the Dodgers. Keep Rortvedt as backup catcher. Rushing to be part of a trade package or send him to AAA for the start of the season. Historically, Smith seems to wear out mid-season so keeping Rushing in the back pocket is valuable.
Rortvedt is battle tested already especially when smith was injured… It is better that he will be the second optioned catcher just in case injury struck again with smith (hopefully not)… while rushing will be next option after rortvedt…
Keep Rortvedt & give Rushing a chance this season as a back up to Freddie Freeman and an occasional start as 3rd catcher. Freeman is a star, a rested Freeman even better. If Rushing is able to respond with a better season, he will be more valuable as trade value next year, or can serve in Rortvedt’s (& previously Barnes role) in 2027 and forward. That will allow both Freeman and Will Smith occasional days or late innings off this year.