Reds Rortvedt: Designated for Assignment – Details

Cincinnati Reds catcher Ben rortvedt has been designated for assignment, opening a roster spot for newly signed infielder Eugenio Suarez, the team announced on February 3, 2026.

Reds Shuffle Roster, Make Room for Suarez

The move signals a shift in the Reds’ catching depth as they prepare for the upcoming season.

• Rortvedt, 28, never played a game for Cincinnati after being claimed off waivers from the Dodgers in November.
• The Reds now have Jose Trevino adn Tyler Stephenson as their only two catchers on the 40-man roster.
• Rortvedt’s future is uncertain, as he has the right to reject an outright assignment but could forfeit salary by electing free agency.

Rortvedt’s time in Cincinnati was brief. The Reds claimed the catcher off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers in November, but he never saw playing time. He was signed to a $1.25 million deal for 2026 to avoid arbitration prior to the waiver claim. As rortvedt is out of options and has accrued at least three years of major league service time, he has the right to decline a minor league assignment.

Dodgers’ Plan Backfired

The Dodgers likely hoped Rortvedt’s salary would deter other teams from claiming him. Had he cleared waivers, he would have remained with Los angeles as a non-roster catching option. Rather, the Reds took a chance, and now might potentially be hoping to retain him as non-roster depth.

Did you know? Ben Rortvedt was part of a three-team trade in 2025 that sent him from Tampa Bay to the Dodgers in exchange for Zack Littell.

With Rortvedt’s designation, Cincinnati’s 40-man roster now features only Jose Trevino and Tyler Stephenson at the catcher position. Will Banfield, with just seven big league games under his belt, is currently the most experienced non-roster catcher.

A Career of Ups and Downs

Rortvedt’s career has been marked by both promise and setbacks. He showed flashes of potential with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2024, posting a .228/.317/.303 batting line over 328 plate appearances. That translated to an 87 wRC+, 13 percent below league average—a respectable figure for a part-time catcher, considering catchers typically lag behind other positions offensively.FanGraphs credited him with 1.4 wins above replacement that year,despite the modest offensive numbers.

However, his performance dipped with Tampa Bay in 2025, hitting .095/.186/.111 in 70 plate appearances before being outrighted. He was than part of a three-team trade that sent him to the Dodgers in exchange for Zack Littell. A late-season call-up with the Dodgers in September, filling in for the injured Will Smith, saw a slight rebound, with a .224/.309/.327 line in 58 plate appearances for the eventual World Series champions.

Pro tip Catchers often provide value even with limited offensive production due to their defensive skills and game-calling abilities.

The Dodgers seemingly valued Rortvedt as relatively inexpensive depth behind Smith and Dalton Rushing. The Reds now have up to one week to explore potential trades or place Rortvedt on waivers. If another team claims him, Cincinnati would likely seek veteran catching depth through minor league contracts.

What happens if Rortvedt clears waivers? He could remain with the Reds as non-roster depth, providing experienced backup behind Trevino and Stephenson.