Dodgers Make Another Trade After Tarik Skubal Deal, Latest MLB Rumors on Mets' Return

While not nearly as high-profile as their acquisition of Tarik Skubal, the Los Angeles Dodgers have made another trade before Monday's 6 p.m. ET deadline.

Per Jon Heyman of the New York Post and MLB Network, the Dodgers will acquire catcher Ben Rortvedt from the New York Mets for right-handed pitcher Chayce McDermott.

This will be Rortvedt's third stint with the Dodgers since July 2025. He was originally acquired in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays prior to last year's deadline and won a World Series title.

The Dodgers waived Rortvedt in November, and he was claimed by the Cincinnati Reds, who designated him for assignment right before spring training after signing Eugenio Suárez and Los Angeles claimed him off waivers.

Rortvedt's second stint with the Dodgers lasted just five days when he was designated for assignment on Feb. 11.

The Mets claimed Rortvedt off waivers on Feb. 15 and he made it through spring training before being DFA'd again, only this time he cleared waivers and was assigned to their Triple-A club in Syracuse.

If there is an area on the roster that's a little soft for the Dodgers right now, it's at catcher because Will Smith has been out since June 5 due to a neck injury.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters on Saturday that Smith is ramping up baseball activities, but he will need at least three to four weeks before he is activated off the IL.

Even though Smith hasn't played in two months, the Dodgers' offensive production at catcher has been fine because Dalton Rushing is hitting .253/.335/.475 in 74 games this season.

Rushing's defense has left something to be desired. He ranks in the 21st percentile in framing and 20th percentile in blocks above average, per Baseball Savant.

Per The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya, Rushing was scratched from his scheduled start on Sunday Night Baseball against the Boston Red Sox due to a minor arm injury that's not expected to keep him out for long and the club was just being "extra cautious" with Smith already injured.

Eliezer Alfonzo has been the primary backup catcher with Smith on the shelf. Rortvedt, who was hitting .235/.319/.414 in 48 games at Triple-A, could step right into that role for the stretch run.

McDermott was likely on his way out of Los Angeles anyway after being designated for assignment on Friday, so the Mets take a flier on a reliever who can help them get through this season.

The right-hander has a 7.71 ERA in just 2.1 innings at the MLB level in 2026. He had a 4.55 ERA in 32 appearances in the minors this season.