The New York Mets added to their catching depth by claiming Ben Rortvedt off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday. Rortvedt, a World Series champion, had been designated for assignment by the Dodgers last week. He joins a group led by Francisco Alvarez and Luis Torrens for the upcoming season.
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- The Mets bolstered their catcher position on Sunday by claiming Ben Rortvedt off waivers from the Dodgers. Los Angeles had placed Rortvedt on waivers following a designation for assignment last week, prompted by a 40-man roster crunch.
Rortvedt's time with the Dodgers was short, spanning just 18 games late last season as he filled in while starting catcher Will Smith recovered from a hairline fracture in his right hand. He earned starts in the Dodgers' first four playoff games, batting 3-for-7 in those appearances, before returning to the bench once Smith was back.
Earlier in the season, Rortvedt struggled with the Tampa Bay Rays, posting a .152/.240/.205 line over 44 games. Across 227 career Major League games, the left-handed hitter has a .549 OPS, though he fares better at Triple-A with a .740 mark. Defensively, Statcast data rates him as an average catcher with above-average framing skills.
In Mets camp, Rortvedt provides additional depth behind Francisco Alvarez and Luis Torrens, who are expected to form the Opening Day catching tandem. The team already has four other catchers in camp, including Hayden Senger and former Dodger Austin Barnes.
This move comes as the Mets prepare for the season, with single-game tickets through June now on sale.