Mets Claim Ben Rortvedt Off Waivers From Dodgers

The New York Mets claimed catcher Ben Rortvedt off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers on Feb. 15, 2026, with right-hander Dedniel Nunez transferred to the 60-day injured list to open a 40-man roster spot. The move follows Rortvedt’s designation for assignment in Los Angeles earlier this week to make room for Evan Phillips. Rortvedt arrives as veteran catching depth after stints with the Twins, Yankees, Rays and Dodgers and will report to Mets Spring Training as the club prepares for the 2026 season. Roster mechanics and playing time remain unsettled, since Rortvedt has no minor-league options and the Mets already carry two catchers ahead of him on the depth chart.

Key Takeaways

• Claimed: The Mets claimed Ben Rortvedt off waivers from the Dodgers on Feb. 15, 2026, per reporting from MLB Trade Rumors and MLB.com.
• Roster move: Dedniel Nunez was moved to the 60-day injured list to create a 40-man roster spot for Rortvedt.
• Recent performance: In 2024 with the Tampa Bay Rays, Rortvedt slashed .228/.317/.303 with a wRC+ of 87 and 1.4 fWAR across 112 games.
• Defensive profile: He graded above average for blocking and pitch framing in recent evaluations but threw out baserunners at a below-average rate.
• Postseason experience: Rortvedt went 3-for-7 with a double in the Dodgers’ 2025 postseason and earned a World Series ring.
• Roster implications: Rortvedt has no options remaining; the Mets must either carry three catchers or risk designating him for assignment if no injury creates a vacancy.
• Depth chart: He projects behind Francisco Álvarez and Luis Torrens and will likely push Hayden Senger farther down the organizational depth chart.

Background

Ben Rortvedt debuted in the major leagues with the Minnesota Twins in 2021 and has since moved between several organizations at the big-league level, including the Yankees, Rays and Dodgers. His most extensive work came in 2024 with the Tampa Bay Rays, when he played 112 games and posted the offensive and defensive numbers noted above. The Dodgers signed him to a small MLB guarantee after the 2025 season and used him as their primary backup to Will Smith late in the season when Dalton Rushing was injured.

MLB’s waiver and roster rules mean veteran catchers without remaining minor-league options are vulnerable to the DFA/waiver cycle when teams need 40-man space. Rortvedt already moved through that cycle this offseason: he was claimed previously by the Cincinnati Reds, re-claimed by the Dodgers, designated for assignment to make room for Evan Phillips, then placed on waivers again. Teams often use such claims to assemble experienced, low-cost depth behind the plate heading into Spring Training and the regular season.

Main Event

On Feb. 15, 2026, the Mets submitted a claim and added Rortvedt to the 40-man roster, prompting the Dodgers to transfer Dedniel Nunez to the 60-day injured list to accommodate the move. The addition was first reported by MLB Trade Rumors and referenced reporting from Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. The transaction is a timing-sensitive roster maneuver under MLB rules as teams finalize camp rosters and protect players from Rule 5 exposure and other offseason mechanics.

Rortvedt’s role with New York is expected to be depth behind Francisco Álvarez and Luis Torrens; neither of those players has been removed from the club’s plans, so Rortvedt projects as the third catcher on paper. Because he lacks remaining option years, the Mets face a choice: carry three catchers into the regular season or designate Rortvedt for assignment should the roster need change before Opening Day.

For the player, joining New York means reporting to Spring Training and working with the Mets’ pitching staff while competing for opportunities in camp. His postseason experience with the Dodgers—going 3-for-7 with a double and earning a World Series ring—adds a veteran element that organizations value when shaping depth for a long season and potential playoff push.

Analysis & Implications

From a roster-construction standpoint, the claim signals that the Mets value experienced catching depth and defensive skill sets that can steady a staff during the season. Rortvedt’s run-blocking and framing metrics have been graded better than average, traits that help pitch sequencing and limit opponent running games even when his offensive output is below league average. Those defensive strengths often prolong the careers of defense-first catchers in backup roles.

Financially and strategically, Rortvedt’s small guarantee in Los Angeles and the waiver process make him a low-cost option for teams balancing payroll and depth needs. For the Mets, a low-cost veteran who can prepare pitchers in camp and step in during injuries reduces the need to carry additional younger, optionable arms or to trade longer-term assets for a late-inning backup.

The most immediate complication is the lack of options. Because Rortvedt cannot be sent to the minors without clearing waivers, the Mets will carry roster flexibility risk. That could force a difficult pre-season roster decision if another player returns from injury or if the club prefers to maintain an extra bench or bullpen slot. The club’s choice will indicate how much they prioritize catching depth versus roster flexibility.

Comparison & Data

The table isolates Rortvedt’s most substantial single-season contribution (2024) to show offensive output relative to league average (wRC+ 100). His 2024 wRC+ of 87 indicates offense below league average, while his positive defensive grades and 1.4 fWAR reflect value primarily on the glove. Teams weighing such claims typically accept sub-replacement hitting if defensive value and clubhouse/experience attributes compensate.

Reactions & Quotes

Official comment from either club had not been widely distributed at the time of the claim, but media reports summarized the transaction and its context:

“The Mets have claimed catcher Ben Rortvedt off waivers from the Dodgers.”

Anthony DiComo / MLB.com (report)

Coverage of Rortvedt’s roster movement emphasized the churn of waiver claims this offseason and his recent signing in Los Angeles:

“He re-signed in L.A. on a small MLB guarantee and has since ridden the DFA carousel as teams try to sneak him through waivers for depth.”

MLB Trade Rumors (report)

Analysts noted the practical roster issue created by his lack of options and the Mets’ existing catching pecking order:

“With no options remaining, the Mets will either carry three catchers or expose him to waivers again when roster decisions arrive.”

Industry analysis (reporting synthesis)

Unconfirmed

• Whether the Mets will carry three catchers into Opening Day remains undecided and depends on roster moves or injuries before the season begins.
• Specific allocation of playing time in Spring Training between Álvarez, Torrens and Rortvedt is not finalized and will be determined by camp performance and health.
• Any additional claims, trades or designations involving Rortvedt prior to Opening Day are possible while roster construction continues.

Bottom Line

The Mets’ claim of Ben Rortvedt is a low-cost, defense-first addition that bolsters catching depth ahead of Spring Training and the 2026 season. His arrival solves a short-term organizational need for an experienced glove behind Francisco Álvarez and Luis Torrens, but his lack of options creates a roster decision the Mets must manage before Opening Day.

For fans and roster-watchers, the transaction is notable for what it signals about the Mets’ approach to depth and insurance behind the plate. Expect further movement: if the Mets prioritize roster flexibility they may expose Rortvedt to waivers again, but if they value veteran catching depth they will carry three catchers until an injury or other roster change alters the calculus.

Sources

• MLB Trade Rumors — sports news reporting on the transaction and roster context
• MLB.com — sports reporting (Anthony DiComo referenced in coverage)