Ben Rortvedt Says Dodgers Were 'Where I Wanted to Be' All Along

Ben Rortvedt, who previously played for the Los Angeles Dodgers during their 2025 World Series championship run, is back with the team just in time for another run at the title. Just hours before the trade deadline, the Dodgers dealt with a double blow in the catcher position when Will Smith went down with a neck injury and Dalton Rushing fractured his ulnar collateral ligament.

Rushing had been filling in as the starter and backup catcher for the Dodgers since Smith's injury in June, but with both players now on the injured list, the Dodgers were without a catcher for potentially the rest of the 2026 season. Rortvedt, who was initially designated for assignment by the Dodgers in February, made a last-minute trade with the New York Mets on Monday for Rortvedt in exchange for right-handed pitcher Chayce McDermott.

Rortvedt made his debut with the Dodgers on Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs and spoke about the news of returning to the team. He said, "Pretty excited, couldn't draw it up better. This is where I wanted to be to start the year." This is Rortvedt's first time playing in the Big Leagues this season and his return to a team he won his first World Series title with in 2025.