Ben Rortvedt’s journey to becoming the Los Angeles Dodgers’ primary catcher in September 2025 is one of those baseball stories you couldn’t script. Just a few months ago, Rortvedt was gearing up for a postseason run with the Tampa Bay Rays, not imagining he’d be catching critical games in Southern California as the Dodgers chase down another National League West title and dream of a World Series run. But as fate would have it, a whirlwind trade deadline and a string of injuries have thrust him into the spotlight, and he’s making the most of every pitch.
The Dodgers’ catching situation flipped upside down earlier this month when All-Star Will Smith suffered a hairline fracture in his right hand, and Dalton Rushing, the next man up, went down with a shin injury. While Rushing has since returned to health, Rortvedt’s emergence has kept him in the starting role, with Rushing now backing him up. Manager Dave Roberts gave a candid update on Smith’s condition on September 20, saying, “We’re optimistic (Will) is going to come back at some point, doubtful it’s in the regular season. But having him available in the postseason, we’re still hopeful.”
So, for now, it’s Rortvedt’s show—and what a show he’s put on. Since September 4, Dodgers starting pitchers have posted a sparkling 1.43 ERA, second-best in all of Major League Baseball, and lead the league with an eye-popping 11.9 strikeouts per nine innings. Rortvedt has been behind the plate for 14 of those 17 games, quickly becoming a favorite target for the Dodgers’ pitching staff. He’s not just calling the games; he’s helping his pitchers shine.
“Obviously he’s got a lot of experience, and the way he’s helped lead our pitching staff has been awesome,” said Andrew Friedman, Dodgers president of baseball operations. “He really has that servant, leadership mentality behind the plate, which is really ingratiating himself with a lot of our pitchers. And obviously, the way they’re throwing the ball has a lot to do with them, but at the same time, they feel so much comfort throwing to him as they’re having that kind of success.”
Rortvedt’s impact hasn’t gone unnoticed by the coaching staff either. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts didn’t hold back his praise: “Over the moon with the way he’s played. He’s certainly a glove-first guy, but how he’s transitioned, assimilated with our guys and build trust with the pitchers is remarkable in such a short time. And what he’s done by the plate, it’s not lost on anyone. It’s not a coincidence the way he catches it, the calling of the game, and then the at-bat quality. Every at-bat is a good at-bat. And he’s gotten some big hits for us, some big walks, he can lay down a bunt if we need it. So for a guy to fill in for Will, an All-Star catcher, he has been more than a pleasant surprise. He’s been hugely additive.”
Rortvedt himself is still catching his breath from the rollercoaster ride. “This year is kind of like a rollercoaster of events,” he admitted. “I was really excited going into the season with the Rays with a good group of guys, but it ended up not going the way that I had hoped. But I get another chance here. As hard as it was to go through what I went through, I think it was all for a reason. It was a good reset. I have an opportunity here and I’m trying to do my part and contribute.”
And contribute he has. The 27-year-old has been the steady hand behind the plate for some of the Dodgers’ most electric pitching performances this month. On September 6, he was catching Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s near no-hitter, which heartbreakingly ended with two outs in the ninth inning against the Orioles. Just two days later, he was back at it, guiding Tyler Glasnow through seven no-hit innings and Blake Treinen through a hitless eighth against the Rockies, only to see the combined no-no broken up in the ninth. “That one week with two no-hitter (bids), it was really cool,” Rortvedt said. “But at the end of the day, if we don’t win games, that’s what it comes down to. I’m here to help them win.”
It’s not just the defense that’s turning heads. Since joining the Dodgers after the July 31 trade deadline in a three-team deal with the Rays and Cincinnati Reds, Rortvedt has held his own at the plate. In 14 games, he’s batting .270/.341/.324 with two doubles and three RBIs. That’s a marked improvement from his stint with the Rays earlier in the season, where he hit just .095 in 40 games. It’s a reminder that sometimes a change of scenery—and a fresh opportunity—can make all the difference.
Friedman acknowledged as much: “We did not expect him to hit .330 or whatever it is. But he’s a good player. He’s got experience and he really cares about what he does behind the plate. It wasn’t easy for us to trade Feduccia. For us to do it, we needed to get catching depth back, and obviously, at this point, really glad we did.”
Before joining the Dodgers, Rortvedt played 17 games in Triple-A Oklahoma City, getting acclimated to the organization. Now, he’s become a vital cog in the Dodgers’ postseason push. His approach is as steady as his glove: “I’m trying to win each day. I’m trying to be as selfless as I can,” Rortvedt said. “I just try to keep my head down and work hard and do the best I can for the pitchers. I just get on the same page and same track with them. And so far, it’s gone well.”
Pitchers have taken notice, too. Blake Snell, after working with Rortvedt in a recent game, spoke fondly of the young catcher’s ability to guide the staff and keep everyone locked in. Rortvedt’s leadership behind the plate has become a rallying point for a team that’s weathered its share of adversity this season.
Rortvedt’s story is also one of perseverance. Since debuting with the Twins in 2021, he’s now suited up for four different teams in four seasons. Last year with the Rays, he posted a .228 average in his first full major league season. But it’s with the Dodgers, thrust into the heat of a pennant race, that he’s found his stride—and perhaps a new home.
As the Dodgers continue their march toward October, Rortvedt is keeping things simple. “We want to win a World Series,” he said. “But I’ve never done well with thinking too far-fetched. I just try to win the day, win each pitch, each moment. I think it’s better that way.”
With the regular season winding down and the postseason looming, the Dodgers will need every bit of Rortvedt’s steady presence behind the plate. For now, he’s living in the moment, helping his team win the day—one pitch at a time.