The Los Angeles Dodgers made a flurry of moves on the first day active rosters expanded, which included Ben Rortvedt getting designated for assignment and Alek Thomas was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Thomas then faced the same DFA fate days later as the Dodgers needed to make room on their 40-man roster for Bobby Miller.
Alek Thomas, Ben Rortvedt stay with Dodgers organization
Rortvedt and Thomas both cleared waivers and were subsequently sent outright to Oklahoma City. According to OKC broadcaster and communications director Alex Freedman, each of them accepted the assignment to remain part of the Dodgers organization.
Thomas was back in the Comets’ lineup on Tuesday night, going 1-for-3 with a double and walk in his return. He had hit three home runs from Sept. 2-3 and now is in the midst of a season-best nine-game hitting streak.
Thomas had the option to refuse the Minor League assignment and become a free agent due to previously being DFA’d. That was by the Arizona Diamondbacks, who then traded the former heralded prospect to the Dodgers in May.
That Thomas chose to stay in the Dodgers farm system is not much of a surprise. He spoke glowingly about the organization and he would not have been postseason eligible if joining a new club due to missing the 9 a.m. PT deadline on Sept. 1.
Similarly, Rortvedt figured to accept his assignment to Triple-A as well. The backup catcher has seemingly found a home with the Dodgers even if that has included multiple instances of being removed from their 40-man roster.
Had Rortvedt rejected the Minor League assignment and become a free agent, he too would not have been eligible for the postseason with a new team and the 28-year-old would’ve forfeited the remainder of his MLB contract for 2026.
Rortvedt signed a $1.25 million deal with the Dodgers during the offseason to avoid arbitration. It seemingly was an attempt to help Rortvedt clear waivers when he was DFA’d in November, but the Cincinnati Reds weren’t deterred.
Rortvedt remaining with the Dodgers could lead to more shuffling with their catching depth as Dalton Rushing landed back on the 10-day injured list because of right elbow discomfort. Rushing should make a return in time for the playoffs, but the Dodgers decided he will no longer continue a throwing progression in effort to resume catching.
Eliezer Alfonzo was recalled but it would not come as a shock if the Dodgers looked to add Rortvedt back onto the roster. However, it would also necessitate making room on the 40-man, where they face somewhat of a crunch.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
