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Ben Rortvedt has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A Oklahoma City after being designated for assignment by the Dodgers on Tuesday, per staff at Dodger Blue. The 28-year-old journeyman catcher has had an eventful tenure with the organization despite only appearing in 34 career games over parts of two seasons, having been designated for assignment and claimed multiple times this season alone.

Rortvedt‘s brief stint at the MLB level reflects the reality of depth catching in September. He was brought in to provide backup support behind Will Smith when the primary catcher was dealing with neck inflammation. With Smith’s return and Dalton Rushing‘s recent activation from the injured list, the Dodgers had an overcrowded catching situation that necessitated a move. Rortvedt’s defensive skills and framing work have value at the minor league level, but his offensive limitations—combined with the team’s preference for Rushing as a power-hitting option off the bench—made him the logical choice to clear space.

The move signals the Dodgers are comfortable with their catching depth moving forward. Smith’s health gives the team its primary backstop. Rushing provides a pinch-hitting option and defensive insurance. For Rortvedt, a return to Oklahoma City keeps him available in case the team needs emergency catching depth down the line, but it essentially closes his window for meaningful September action. These transactions are brutal reminders of how precarious roster spots are this late in the season—one day you’re helping to fill a gap, the next you’re back in Triple-A. Rortvedt will stay ready, but his October path just got significantly steeper.

Source(s): Staff (Dodger Blue) | First reported: September 5, 2026 6:10 PM UTC

God Bless and Go Dodgers