Sports · Baseball · 7 hrs ago
Ben Rortvedt elects free agency after leaving the Dodgers
Catcher Ben Rortvedt has elected minor league free agency after the Dodgers removed him from their 40-man roster in September.
The 29-year-old played 16 major league games for Los Angeles this season, batting .185.
His main strength is reliable defense, while his offense has been limited.
Rortvedt has moved between the Dodgers, Cincinnati Reds and New York Mets during the past year, including multiple returns to Los Angeles.
The Dodgers brought him back at the trade deadline after injuries to catchers Will Smith and Dalton Rushing left a gap in their depth.
He helped the Dodgers win the 2025 World Series, appearing in four playoff games that season.
A minor league deal could give him a chance to compete for a backup job, and a return to the Dodgers remains possible.
Ben Rortvedt has elected minor league free agency after leaving the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The catcher became eligible after the Dodgers removed him from their 40-man roster in September and did not select him again.
Rortvedt played 16 major league games for Los Angeles this season, batting .185.
He had returned to the Dodgers at the trade deadline after previously passing through the Reds and Mets.
A minor league contract and a chance to compete for a backup role are possible, and a return to Los Angeles has not been ruled out.
- Who
- Ben Rortvedt, a catcher who played for the Dodgers.
- What
- He elected minor league free agency after leaving the Dodgers.
- When
- After the 2026 season; the reports were published on October 18 and 19, 2026.
- Where
- Los Angeles, with Rortvedt moving into the free-agent market.
- Why
- His outright assignment off the Dodgers’ 40-man roster in September, without being selected again, qualified him for minor league free agency.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Rortvedt moved from the Dodgers to the Reds through a waiver claim.
The Dodgers brought Rortvedt back, then designated him for assignment after acquiring Evan Phillips.
Rortvedt moved to the Mets and later accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A.
The Dodgers reacquired Rortvedt at the trade deadline after injuries to Will Smith and Dalton Rushing.
The Dodgers removed Rortvedt from their 40-man roster and outrighted him.
Rortvedt elected minor league free agency.
- 2026 Dodgers games
- 16
- 2026 batting average
- .185
- 2025 Dodgers postseason games
- 4
- September roster move
- Outrighted off the 40-man roster
- Free-agent status
- Minor league free agent
4 sources
What people are saying
Catcher Ben Rortvedt has chosen to become a minor league free agent