On May 28, the Tampa Bay Rays officially designated catcher Ben Rortvedt for assignment, creating a roster opening for Matt Thaiss, their newly acquired backup catcher. Thaiss was added to the active roster in time to join the team for the series finale against Minnesota that afternoon. The decision marks a significant roster change as the Rays seek improved performance behind the plate.
Background on Rortvedt’s Role and Performance
Reports first emerged on May 27 that the Rays planned to designate Rortvedt, as confirmed by Marc Topkin of The Tampa Bay Times. This move was driven by the recent addition of Thaiss from the Chicago White Sox, prompting the need to clear space for the new catcher. After the announcement, Rortvedt was seen bidding emotional farewells to his teammates following a loss to Minnesota.
Rortvedt, who is out of minor league options, cannot be sent down without first passing through waivers. The Rays opted not to carry three catchers or replace starter Danny Jansen, making Rortvedt’s designation almost inevitable after Thaiss’s arrival. Over 70 plate appearances this season, Rortvedt’s offense has struggled significantly, posting a .095/.186/.111 slash line. Despite respectable strikeout and walk rates, his lack of power and low hard contact rate have been issues for the left-handed hitter.
Career Overview and Defensive Strengths
Originally acquired from the New York Yankees in a three-team trade before the 2024 season, Rortvedt had started in just over half of the Rays’ games last year. He recorded a .228/.317/.303 batting line over a career-high 328 plate appearances. The signing of Danny Jansen to an $8.5 million deal positioned Jansen as the Rays’ primary catcher, leaving Rortvedt’s offensive decline to push him off the roster. In contrast, Thaiss has performed well with a .382 on-base percentage through 35 games, although his power numbers remain modest.
As a defensive catcher, Rortvedt is considered capable and has earned slightly above-average grades for pitch framing and blocking throughout his career. He exhibits solid arm strength and has thrown out six of 27 attempted base-stealers. Once officially designated for assignment, the Rays will have a five-day window to pursue trades involving Rortvedt or place him on waivers if no deal is reached, with any acquiring team required to add him directly to their major league roster.
Implications of the Move for the Rays
Designating Ben Rortvedt signals the Rays’ commitment to improving their catching depth and offensive production. Adding Matt Thaiss, who has demonstrated strong on-base skills this season, provides more stability behind the plate. The team will monitor roster adjustments as they move forward in the season, balancing defensive reliability and offensive contributions in their catcher group. Fans and analysts alike will be watching to see how these changes impact the Rays’ performance in upcoming games.