Los Angeles Dodgers roster update: Re-sign catcher Rortvedt, designate left-handed pitcher Banda for assignment

In order to free up space for a beloved player, the Dodgers today parted ways with another well-liked player: they designated left-handed relief pitcher Anthony Banda for assignment and reclaimed catcher Ben Rortvedt from the Cincinnati Reds through the waiver list.

The 32-year-old Banda has played for multiple teams early in his career, having been on seven MLB rosters before joining the Dodgers in 2024. He was a quietly valuable left-handed bullpen asset during the Dodgers’ back-to-back championship runs, posting a 3.14 ERA across 119 appearances for Los Angeles.

The 28-year-old Rortvedt, who played for the Dodgers in the latter half of last season, now returns to the team. Acquired as catching depth in a three-team trade involving the Rays and Reds before last year’s trade deadline, he stepped up as the starting catcher when Will Smith and rookie Dalton Rushing were injured in September. Although his batting average was only .224, his ability to guide pitchers was highly praised. He was claimed off waivers by the Reds last November, and after the Reds signed Eugenio Suárez today, Rortvedt was designated for assignment.

Here are several key questions raised by this roster move:

Why part ways with Banda?

About to enter his second year of arbitration eligibility, Banda earns $1.625 million, and as a middle reliever, his cost-effectiveness and performance were appealing. Therefore, this decision seems more related to other pitchers on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster.

Banda is one of six left-handed relievers on the roster, alongside Jack Dreyer, Ronan Kopp, Tanner Scott, Alex Vesia, and Justin Wrobleski. Since Banda has no minor league options remaining, keeping him would risk roster congestion for the Dodgers.

How might the bullpen be structured for the season start?

The Dodgers’ bullpen roster is mostly set, but a few spots remain competitive. Locked in are Edwin Díaz, Scott, Brusdar Graterol, Vesia, and Blake Treinen. Given Banda’s lack of options, he was likely to occupy one of those spots.

If the Dodgers maintain a balanced bullpen, they will need three more relievers (likely two lefties and one righty). Dreyer, who had a strong rookie season last year, is a strong contender. With Banda gone, Wrobleski’s chances improve. Right-handed candidates include Ben Casparius, Edgardo Henriquez, Kyle Hurt, and Will Klein.

What does Rortvedt’s return mean for the catching depth?

Rortvedt also has no minor league options, but this does not necessarily give him an advantage over Rushing in competing for the backup catcher role behind Smith. This makes Rortvedt a possible candidate for designation before the season starts.

After Smith and Rushing, the Dodgers have limited catching depth at higher minor league levels, so keeping Rortvedt makes some sense. If the team later needs to designate him, they might try to pass him through waivers and retain him on a minor league contract. However, there is no guarantee another team won’t claim him, so if he must be removed from the 40-man roster, the Dodgers cannot fully rely on retaining him as depth.