Los Angeles Dodgers Reunite with Catcher Ben Rortvedt in Waiver Claim
The Los Angeles Dodgers have made a strategic roster adjustment just days before the commencement of spring training, bringing back a familiar face to bolster their catching depth. The team has successfully claimed catcher Ben Rortvedt off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds. To facilitate this addition and clear a necessary spot on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers have designated left-handed relief pitcher Anthony Banda for assignment.
Ben Rortvedt's Eventful Journey Comes Full Circle
Ben Rortvedt's association with the Los Angeles Dodgers has been marked by a series of twists and turns. Originally acquired by the Dodgers in a significant three-team trade on July 31, 2025, while he was not on the 40-man roster, Rortvedt proved to be an invaluable asset during a critical period. When starting catcher Will Smith suffered a broken hand and backup Dalton Rushing was also unavailable due to injury, Rortvedt stepped up admirably. He started 15 of the Dodgers' final 21 regular-season games behind the plate and even commenced the first four postseason contests before Smith's return, remaining an active participant throughout the team's championship campaign.
Following the season, Rortvedt signed a guaranteed contract worth $1.25 million for the 2026 season to avoid arbitration, as per MLB regulations. In a move to retain him as minor-league depth, the Dodgers attempted to pass him through waivers in November. However, the Cincinnati Reds intervened and claimed him. The Reds subsequently designated Rortvedt for assignment this week to create space for signing slugger Eugenio Suarez, thereby opening the door for the Dodgers to reclaim their former catcher.
At 28 years old, Rortvedt has exhausted his minor league options, having utilized them from 2021 through 2023. Assuming Will Smith and Dalton Rushing are healthy for Opening Day as anticipated, Rortvedt is likely to begin the 2026 season with Triple-A Oklahoma City, serving as crucial insurance and depth for the Dodgers' catching corps.
Anthony Banda's Tenure with the Dodgers Concludes
The decision to designate Anthony Banda for assignment comes as a notable development, given his substantial contributions to the Dodgers' recent success. The 32-year-old left-handed reliever was instrumental in helping the Dodgers secure back-to-back World Series championships in 2024 and 2025. In January, Banda avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract valued at $1.625 million, and like Rortvedt, he had no remaining minor league options.
Banda discovered a sense of stability with the Dodgers after previously navigating stints with seven different teams earlier in his professional career. Over the 2024 and 2025 seasons, he delivered impressive performances, posting a 3.14 ERA and a 3.46 xERA across 119 appearances. He recorded 111 strikeouts against 52 walks over 114 2/3 innings, achieving career highs in several statistical categories. Banda was also a postseason workhorse, appearing in 17 of the Dodgers' 33 playoff games during those two championship runs.
This roster move underscores the challenging decisions that contending teams like the Dodgers must make, even with a fully occupied 40-man roster. Anthony Banda now enters the waiver process, where he could be claimed by another team, traded, or outrighted to the minors if he clears waivers.
This latest roster adjustment effectively strengthens the Dodgers' catching options without incurring significant cost, while simultaneously parting ways with a reliable and experienced bullpen arm. The timing, just before spring training, sets the stage for an intriguing preseason as the team finalizes its composition for the upcoming MLB season.
