As the Los Angeles Dodgers navigate the pressure-packed 2025 postseason, the spotlight has unexpectedly shifted to a player who, until recently, was flying well under the radar. Ben Rortvedt, acquired at the trade deadline and thrust into the starting catcher role due to a significant injury to All-Star Will Smith, has become something of an unsung hero for a Dodgers squad with championship aspirations.
Smith, who suffered a hairline fracture in his right hand after taking a foul ball off it against the Pittsburgh Pirates on September 3, has been in and out of the lineup ever since. After missing six games, he made a brief return on September 9, only to aggravate the injury and land on the injured list again. Since then, the Dodgers have had to look elsewhere for leadership behind the plate—and that’s where Rortvedt’s story begins.
Before joining the Dodgers, Rortvedt’s Major League resume was modest: just 183 games over three seasons, with a career batting line of .199/.288/.286. His offensive numbers hardly inspired fear in opposing pitchers, and his stint with the Tampa Bay Rays earlier in 2025 didn’t help, as he posted a dismal -8 wRC+ in 26 games. But baseball is a game of second chances and surprise contributors, and Rortvedt has seized his opportunity since arriving in Los Angeles.
Since the trade, Rortvedt’s bat has come alive by his standards. In 18 games with the Dodgers, he’s posted an 84 wRC+—a dramatic improvement—while slashing .224/.309/.327 with two doubles, one home run, and four RBIs. While those numbers may not jump off the page, they’ve given the Dodgers a lift at a time when every run counts. And in the postseason spotlight, he’s stepped up even further, collecting three hits in six at-bats as the Dodgers’ starting catcher during the National League Wild Card Series. He was again behind the plate for Game 1 of the National League Division Series (NLDS), showing no signs of nerves on the big stage.
But it’s not just the bat that’s made Rortvedt a key figure. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was effusive in his praise for the backstop’s work behind the plate. “Ben has been an unsung hero. Just coming in here trying to replace an All-Star catcher, he has the trust in the pitchers,” Roberts said. “He’s a servant first, he receives well, he throws well. He just understands who he is as a hitter. So to be able to kind of move runners, see pitches, put the ball in play, get hits when we need him, he’s been fantastic. And he had big shoes to fill, but he’s done a great job with the fingers, the catching, all of it.”
The sentiment was echoed by Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, who highlighted Rortvedt’s ability to manage the pitching staff—a crucial asset in postseason baseball, where every pitch can swing a series. The Dodgers’ arms have responded, and the team’s defensive stability has been maintained despite Smith’s absence.
Off the field, Rortvedt’s personality has started to shine through in ways that have endeared him to fans. His walk-up song, featuring a saxophone solo made famous in a meme of the Pokémon Squirtle, has become part of his unique Dodgers persona. The quirky choice is a nod to his sense of humor and willingness to embrace the moment, even as the stakes rise.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers’ catching situation remains a daily talking point. Will Smith’s health is the subject of constant speculation. On October 5, manager Dave Roberts addressed Smith’s status for Game 2 of the NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies. “Still up in the air,” Roberts said. “We might run the same playbook, or we could start him. But I think for me, just kind of seeing how he comes in tomorrow.” Smith himself had been optimistic prior to Game 1, stating he was close to full strength and could “go nine innings right now and be good.”
Smith did make an appearance in Game 1, entering as a pinch hitter for Rortvedt in the fifth inning. He finished 0-for-2 but did reach base after being hit by a pitch—evidence that he’s willing to battle through discomfort if the team needs him. Still, with the injury lingering, it’s clear the Dodgers aren’t taking any chances with one of their best regular-season performers. Smith’s 2025 campaign was impressive: a .296 batting average, 17 home runs, and 61 RBIs over 110 games. His return at full strength would undoubtedly provide a boost, but the Dodgers are opting for caution as the series unfolds.
Game 1 of the NLDS saw the Dodgers rally from a 3-0 deficit to claim a dramatic win on the road against the Phillies, sparked by late-inning heroics from Teoscar Hernández and Kiké Hernández. The victory gives Los Angeles a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series and sets the stage for a pivotal Game 2. With a rest day on Sunday, the Dodgers have a chance to regroup and reassess their catching situation before Monday’s matchup, scheduled for 3:08 p.m. PT. Blake Snell, who started Game 1 of the Wild Card Series, is set to make his second postseason start for Los Angeles.
As the Dodgers push deeper into October, the contributions of players like Rortvedt—those who step up when adversity strikes—often make the difference between a deep run and an early exit. While fans and pundits eagerly await Smith’s return to full health, Rortvedt’s steady defense and timely hitting have kept the Dodgers on track. It’s a testament to the depth and resilience of a team built for the long haul.
Of course, the story is still unfolding. Roberts and the Dodgers will continue to monitor Smith’s progress, weighing the risk and reward of inserting him back into the starting lineup. For now, though, Rortvedt remains the man behind the mask, handling the pitching staff with poise and bringing unexpected energy to the clubhouse—Squirtle saxophone and all.
With Game 2 looming and the Phillies eager to even the series, the Dodgers’ catching conundrum remains one of the postseason’s most intriguing subplots. Whether it’s Rortvedt continuing his unlikely heroics or Smith making a triumphant return, all eyes will be on the plate as Los Angeles looks to keep its World Series dreams alive.
