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.
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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.