Rortvedt gets thrust into role as Dodgers’ catcher

[Dodgers, from B10]

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BLAKE SNELL (7) says Ben Rortvedt has “good energy.”

(Gina Ferazzi Los Angeles Times)

hand, just kept on contributing, providing a steady presence behind the plate for the pitching staff, improved defense on balls in the dirt, and subtly useful offense with a .224 batting average and three sacrifice bunts.

It was enough for manager Dave Roberts to effectively name Rortvedt the team’s primary catcher in Smith's absence, saying he would get the “lion’s share” of playing time if Smith wasn’t back for the start of the playoffs.

And though Smith was included on the Dodgers’ wildcard roster Tuesday, after making enough progress with his hand to take live at-bats during a team workout the night before, he still wasn’t ready to resume full starting duties. For this series, he will likely be only a pinch-hit option off the bench.

Rortvedt, meanwhile, will get playoff starts not even he could have seen coming amonthago.

“T’ve just been really grateful to get another chance [in the majors],” Rortvedt said last week. “And a chance like this is an amazing opportunity.”