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Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star catcher Will Smith is out indefinitely, leading to calls for a trade as the Aug. 3 deadline nears.
The Dodgers’ currently rostered catchers are Dalton Rushing and Eliezer Alfonzo, but whether or not those two will be able to hold up if Smith remains out of the picture for the remainder of the season isn’t clear. Manager Dave Roberts admitted the Dodgers aren’t sure whether or not Smith will return this season at all.
“We don’t know,” Roberts said, “but we certainly are counting on it.”
The LA Times‘ Bill Shaikin believes the Dodgers’ uncertainty can only warrant one option: adding another catcher.
“Would it be nice for the Dodgers to get their three-time All-Star catcher back in time for October? Of course,” Shaikin wrote.
“Should the Dodgers count on it? Of course not.
“The Dodgers won’t know where Smith stands by the Aug. 3 trade deadline. That means now is the time to acquire a catching option they may or may not need later.”
The Dodgers have all the resources they need to go and get another catcher, as their farm system is absolutely loaded with talent. A short-term replacement—though—shouldn’t warrant a huge haul involving some of the top prospects in MLB.
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Jun 16, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith during batting practice before the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Who Would the Dodgers Acquire as a Replacement?
When assessing potential options to add as a stopgap for Smith, both Shaikin and The California Post‘s Dylan Hernandez came to the same conclusion. Both believe former Dodger Ben Rortvedt to be the best option.
“Rortvedt, currently playing in triple-A for the New York Mets, fits the profile of what the Dodgers need now: a defense-first catcher with major league readiness,” Shaikin wrote. “With Smith injured, the Dodgers first tried and then cut minor league journeyman Chuckie Robinson at backup catcher. Their current backup, Eliezer Alfonso, made his major league debut in his ninth professional season; he is hitless in nine at-bats.”
Rortvedt came to the Dodgers at last year’s deadline, and featured in 18 regular season games. He snagged a brief starting spot in the postseason as well. There are plenty of higher-end options to pursue, but adding a star into the fold could complicate things down the road.
“If president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman trades for a catcher the caliber of, say, Baltimore’s Adley Rutschman, what do they do if Smith returns as expected?” Hernandez inquired. “Even if Smith doesn’t come back this season, or comes back in a diminished capacity, what would happen next year? Rutschman would still be under team control.
“Ben Rortvedt could be a more practical option.”
While he’s currently in Triple-A, Rortvedt has something other catchers don’t. The backstop is familiar with the Dodgers’ pitching staff, and could immediately slot in to catch games for LA if they were to make a move for him.
Should the Dodgers go get a catcher or keep faith that Smith will return?
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