Dodgers Retain Alek Thomas, Ben Rortvedt After Both Clear Waivers

The Dodgers managed to keep two useful pieces of organizational depth after both passed through waivers unclaimed.

Outfielder Alek Thomas and catcher Ben Rortvedt have both been outrighted to Triple-A Oklahoma City, meaning neither player occupies a spot on Los Angeles’ 40-man roster but both remain available within the organization.

Thomas cleared waivers after the Dodgers designated him for assignment Saturday to create 40-man roster space for Bobby Miller. The Dodgers officially sent Thomas outright to Oklahoma City on Tuesday.

Rortvedt went through the same process a few days earlier after being designated for assignment on Sept. 1 when Los Angeles activated Will Smith and Dalton Rushing from the injured list. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Oklahoma City on Sept. 3, then was activated by the Comets two days later.

For a Dodgers team that has spent much of the season testing its organizational depth, keeping both players is a useful outcome.

Thomas Gives Dodgers Experienced Outfield Insurance

Thomas’ stay in the Dodgers organization could become particularly valuable while Andy Pages continues recovering from surgery on his fractured left hand.

Los Angeles acquired Thomas from the Arizona Diamondbacks in May after Arizona designated the former top prospect for assignment.

He eventually received a Major League opportunity with the Dodgers after Pages landed on the injured list in August.

Thomas appeared in seven games for Los Angeles, starting five times in center field. He went 4-for-19 with a double, three RBIs and a walk, producing a .211/.250/.263 slash line during the brief stint.

His Triple-A production has been considerably stronger.

Through 58 games for Oklahoma City this season, Thomas is hitting:

.294/.359/.517 with 10 home runs and an .876 OPS.

He also homered three times in his first two games after being optioned back to Triple-A at the beginning of September.

That combination of Major League experience, center-field defense and success at Triple-A makes him a valuable player to keep around even if he does not currently have a spot on the Dodgers’ active roster.

Thomas is set to return to Oklahoma City’s lineup Tuesday.

Rortvedt’s Retention Looks More Important After Rushing Setback

Keeping Rortvedt may have become more valuable than the Dodgers anticipated when they originally designated him for assignment.

At the time, Smith and Rushing were both returning from the injured list, leaving Los Angeles with a crowded catching situation that also included Hunter Feduccia.

Then Rushing aggravated the partial UCL tear in his right elbow and returned to the IL.

The Dodgers have since recalled Eliezer Alfonzo, leaving Smith, Feduccia and Alfonzo as the healthy catchers on the Major League roster.

Rortvedt now gives the organization another experienced option behind them.

The 28-year-old appeared in 16 games for Los Angeles this season after being reacquired from the Mets in August. Across his two seasons with the Dodgers, Rortvedt has appeared in 34 games.

He was activated by Oklahoma City on Sept. 5 and is expected to be behind the plate Wednesday. MLB’s roster records confirm that he is active with the Comets and no longer on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster.

Both Players Are Now Off the 40-Man Roster

That distinction is important.

An outright assignment removes a player from the 40-man roster while allowing the organization to retain his rights.

If Los Angeles eventually needs Thomas or Rortvedt back in the Major Leagues, the Dodgers would need to select that player’s contract and add him back to the 40-man roster.

For now, there is no immediate need to do that.

The value is in having experienced players waiting in Oklahoma City rather than losing them on waivers.

Thomas provides center-field insurance and a left-handed bat.

Rortvedt provides catching depth at a position where the Dodgers have already experienced significant injuries this season.

Neither move is likely to dramatically change the Major League roster today.

But September has already shown how quickly the Dodgers’ depth chart can change.

Being able to remove two players from the 40-man roster without losing either one from the organization is a favorable result for Los Angeles.