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The Dodgers made a flurry of roster moves behind the plate on Tuesday, activating recently acquired catchers Ben Rortvedt and Hunter Feduccia while optioning Eliezer Alfonzo to Triple-A Oklahoma City and designating Chuckie Robinson for assignment, per Dodger Blue staff. The moves formalize what we’ve been expecting since the trade deadline — the catching depth chart just got a significant reshuffling.

Rortvedt comes over from the Mets in a deal that sent pitching prospect Dean McDermott to New York. The left-handed hitting catcher has long been regarded as a strong defensive backstop with solid framing metrics. He had a winding path to get here — originally drafted by the Twins in 2017, Rortvedt dealt with knee injuries that derailed chunks of his career, including a torn meniscus that cost him most of the 2022 season with the Yankees. When healthy, though, he’s shown an ability to handle a pitching staff and provide pop from the left side. For a Dodgers team that values versatility and defensive quality behind the plate, Rortvedt fills a real need, especially with Will Smith as the clear starter and Austin Barnes no longer in the picture.

Feduccia arrives from Tampa Bay in the deal that also brought Ryan Kmatz to Los Angeles in exchange for Jack Suwinski and international pool money. Feduccia is a lesser-known name, a right-handed hitting catcher who spent time grinding through the Rays’ minor league system. He doesn’t carry the pedigree of a top prospect, but the Dodgers clearly liked something about his profile — whether that’s his receiving, his bat-to-ball skills, or simply organizational depth at a premium position. Getting added to the active roster rather than being stashed in the minors tells you the front office sees an immediate role for him.

Alfonzo’s option to Oklahoma City isn’t a surprise. He got his shot when the Dodgers called him up on July 4, choosing him over Robinson at the time. But the deadline acquisitions changed the math entirely. Alfonzo is still on the 40-man roster and could be back if injuries strike, but for now, the Dodgers have moved on to their newer additions.

Robinson’s DFA is the toughest pill here. He was on the active roster before Alfonzo got the nod a month ago, and now he’s been designated for assignment entirely. That’s the brutal reality of a team like the Dodgers operating at the deadline — when you acquire multiple catchers in the span of a few days, somebody has to go. Robinson will either clear waivers and head to the minors or find an opportunity elsewhere. I hope he does. He’s a solid organizational guy who did his job when called upon.

The bigger picture: the Dodgers now have Smith as their everyday catcher with Rortvedt and Feduccia as the backup tandem. That’s a clear upgrade in depth from where we were two weeks ago. With Austin Rushing on the IL dealing with right elbow inflammation, the front office clearly wanted to shore up the catching corps rather than ride thin. Andrew Friedman doesn’t leave positions exposed if he can help it, and these moves reflect that philosophy. We’ve got two fresh catchers on the roster just as Tarik Skubal is set to make his Dodgers debut tomorrow at Wrigley — whoever’s behind the plate for that one is going to have a fun first assignment.

Source(s): Staff (Dodger Blue) | First reported: August 4, 2026 9:21 PM UTC

God Bless and Go Dodgers