Dodgers re-acquire catcher Rortvedt from Mets, add lefty hurler Bubic

CHICAGO -- The Dodgers brought back a familiar face to bolster their catching depth, acquiring Ben Rortvedt from the Mets in exchange for right-hander Chayce McDermott (who was designated for assignment on Friday) ahead of Monday's 3 p.m. PT Trade Deadline.

L.A. also added pitching depth by agreeing to acquire rehabbing left-hander Kris Bubic from the Royals in exchange for right-hander Carlos Duran, a source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. Neither team has confirmed the deal.

This is the third time the Dodgers have acquired Rortvedt in the past year. They traded for him as part of a three-team deal with the Rays and Reds ahead of last year's Deadline before losing him to Cincinnati on a waiver claim in the offseason. L.A. claimed him off waivers in February, but designated him for assignment days later.

Rortvedt, 28, played in 18 games for the Dodgers last September and drew praise for his work with the team's pitching staff, particularly the rotation. He spent this season with Triple-A Syracuse and was not on the Mets' 40-man roster, meaning the Dodgers do not need to select his contract imminently.

TRADE DETAILS
Dodgers receive: C Ben Rortvedt
Mets receive: RHP Chayce McDermott

L.A.'s catching group has taken a hit with starting backstop Will Smith out for nearly two months due to an inflamed disc in his neck. Smith is making progress toward a return, but he remains weeks away. Dalton Rushing has taken over starting duties, but he is day to day after being scratched from Sunday's lineup with minor irritation in his right arm. That leaves rookie Eliezer Alfonzo as the next man up if Rushing misses additional time.

Rortvedt gives the Dodgers some insurance, whether they leave him in the Minors for now or decide to add him to the big league roster. He may not necessarily bring significant offensive upside over Alfonzo, but his familiarity with L.A.'s staff could be valuable.

TRADE DETAILS
Dodgers receive: LHP Kris Bubic
Royals receive: RHP Carlos Duran

Bubic, who was an All-Star in 2025, is currently on the 60-day injured list. He began the season in the Royals' rotation, recording a 4.11 ERA through nine starts, before being sidelined with an injury to his left forearm. He sustained soreness in his left shoulder after one rehab start, but was able to go back out on rehab again a couple weeks later. That second rehab stint was also cut short due to a setback.

By the time the Deadline rolled around, Bubic was playing catch at least out to 80 feet. At this point in the season, it seems unlikely that he'll ramp all the way up as a starter, so the Dodgers could look to build him up as a reliever. Bubic excelled in that role in 2024, posting a 2.67 ERA in 27 appearances.

Injuries, including Tommy John surgery in 2023 and a season-ending rotator cuff strain in '25, have limited Bubic in the past several years. He is set to become a free agent after this season.