BEN RORTVEDT NEWS

Catching in Thursday's game Rortvedt (shoulder) will start at catcher and bat fifth in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

Impact After getting an injection to relieve pain in his sore right shoulder, Rortvedt had been limited to designated-hitter duties in his last two spring games, but he'll step in behind the plate Thursday for the first time since Feb. 23. Provided that the shoulder issue provides no complications with his throwing over the rest of the spring, Rortvedt will be part of a timeshare at catcher with Danny Jansen to open the season.

MARCH 6 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to action as DH on Saturday Rortvedt (shoulder) went 0-for-2 with a strikeout in Saturday's 10-1 loss to the Mets in Grapefruit League play.

Impact Rortvedt played for the first time since receiving an injection in his sore right shoulder early last week, though he was limited to a non-defensive role. Per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, Rortvedt will be available off the bench again Monday versus Atlanta, but if called upon to play, the 27-year-old will most likely replace starting designated hitter Eloy Jimenez. According to MLB.com, the Rays are targeting Thursday's game versus the Phillies for Rortvedt's return to catching duty, assuming his throwing is no longer compromised by the shoulder issue.

MARCH 3 • ROTOWIRE

Gets injection for sore shoulder Rortvedt will not be allowed to throw for 3-to-4 days after being given an injection in his sore right shoulder Wednesday, MLB.com reports.

Impact The Rays are hopeful Rortvedt will be ready to return to Grapefruit League play shortly after the brief shutdown period. He's slated to open the season as the team's backup catcher behind Danny Jansen.

FEBRUARY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Nursing sore shoulder Rortvedt will be held out of action for a few days with right shoulder soreness, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

Impact The Rays do not seem worried that it could be a long-term issue for the catcher. Rortvedt is projected to open the season as the backup behind Danny Jansen.

FEBRUARY 25 • ROTOWIRE

Avoids arbitration The Rays and Rortvedt avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.125 million contract Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact He was eligible for arbitration for the first time this winter. Rortvedt led Rays catchers with 328 plate appearances in 2024 but is slated to take a back seat to Danny Jansen in 2025.

JANUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Drew Rasmussen and Rays agree to $8.5M, 2-year deal that could be worth $28M over 3 seasons

Right-hander Drew Rasmussen and the Tampa Bay Rays avoided salary arbitration, agreeing to an $8.5 million, two-year contract that could be worth up to $28 million over three seaso...

JANUARY 7 • Associated Press

Idle Friday Rortvedt is out of the lineup for Friday's game against Boston.

Impact After making four straight starts behind the dish, Rortvedt will yield to Logan Driscoll Friday for the second time in three games. Rortvedt hasn't logged multiple hits in a game since Aug. 8.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Receiving rest Wednesday Rortvedt is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Tigers.

Impact Rortvedt will get a breather after he went 2-for-7 with an RBI while starting behind the plate in each of the Rays' last three games. Logan Driscoll will fill in for Rortvedt at catcher.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Grabbing seat Friday Rortvedt is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Blue Jays.

Impact Rortvedt is sporting an unsightly .136/.214/.173 batting line with a 32.6 percent strikeout rate since the beginning of August. He will yield to Logan Driscoll on Friday in the series opener.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Out of Tampa Bay lineup Rortvedt is not in the lineup for Tuesday's contest versus the Red Sox.

Impact It's a routine day off for Rortvedt. Logan Driscoll will handle the catching duties for the Rays in Tuesday's series opener.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Not starting Saturday Rortvedt is not in Saturday's lineup against the Guardians.

Impact Rortvedt has been getting the majority of the reps behind the plate for the Rays, but he'll be out of the lineup for the second straight game. Logan Driscoll -- who smacked the first homer of his career Friday -- will take Rortvedt's spot in the lineup.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Not starting Saturday Rortvedt is not in Saturday's lineup against the Guardians.

Impact Rortvedt has been getting the majority of reps behind the plate for the Rays, but he'll be out of the lineup for the second straight game. Logan Driscoll -- who smacked his first homer of his career Friday -- will take Rortvedt's spot in the lineup.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Idle Saturday Rortvedt isn't in the Rays' lineup for Saturday's game against Baltimore, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Rortvedt will take a seat Saturday after going 0-for-3 with a walk during Friday's series opener. Logan Driscoll will start behind the dish instead and bat sixth.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Dean Kremer holds Rays hitless for 6 innings as first-place Orioles beat Rays 2-0

Dean Kremer took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, Gunnar Henderson hit his 36th home run and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Tampa Bay Rays 2-0 to remain atop the AL East

SEPTEMBER 7, 2024 • Associated Press

Taking seat Thursday Rortvedt is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest against the Twins.

Impact Rortvedt caught the night game Wednesday, so he will be given some rest for Thursday's matinee. Logan Driscoll will do the catching for the Rays.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Bogaerts and Merrill help the Padres edge the Rays 4-3

Xander Bogaerts hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the ninth inning, and the San Diego Padres beat the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3 after squandering a three-run lead

SEPTEMBER 1, 2024 • Associated Press

Idle Friday Rortvedt is out of the lineup for Friday's game against San Diego.

Impact With left-hander Martin Perez on the mound for the Padres, Rortvedt will yield to Alex Jackson behind the dish. Rortvedt has one hit in his last 23 at-bats.

AUGUST 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting down Tuesday Rortvedt isn't in the Rays' lineup for Tuesday's game against the Mariners, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Rortvedt will get a day to regroup after going 1-for-7 in three games since returning from paternity leave. Alex Jackson will fill in behind the dish and bat ninth.

AUGUST 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

On bench Saturday Rortvedt is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Dodgers.

Impact Rortvedt was reinstated from the family emergency list Saturday, but he's absent from the starting nine against Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers. Alex Jackson will bat ninth and fill in for Rortvedt behind the dish.

AUGUST 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Rays reinstate C Ben Rortvedt from family emergency list The Tampa Bay Rays reinstated catcher Ben Rortvedt from the family emergency list in advance of a road game against the Los Angeles Dodgers...

AUGUST 24, 2024 • SACBEE.COM

Back on active roster The Rays reinstated Rortvedt from the family emergency list Saturday.

Impact Rortvedt was moved to the family emergency list Thursday so that he could spend more time with his family following the birth of his child. Now that he's returned to the team, he'll resume duties as Tampa Bay's primary catcher. Rob Brantly was DFA'd in a corresponding move.

AUGUST 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Shifted to family emergency list The Rays transferred Rortvedt from the paternity list to the family medical emergency list, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Impact Per Whitaker, Rortvedt's new baby and the baby's mother are doing fine. This is a procedural move made so that he can spend more time with his family, as his three-game stay on the paternity list was set to run out. Rortvedt is expected to rejoin the Rays at some point on their road trip, potentially as soon as this weekend versus the Dodgers. Rob Brantly will remain on Tampa Bay's roster until Rortvedt returns.

AUGUST 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Goes on paternity list The Rays placed Rortvedt on the paternity list Monday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Impact Rortvedt can miss up to three games while he tends to more important matters. Rob Brantly has been brought up from Triple-A Durham to help Alex Jackson out at catcher.

AUGUST 19, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Resting Saturday Rortvedt is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Diamondbacks, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Rortvedt will begin Saturday's game in the dugout after going 0-for-2 in Friday's contest. Alex Jackson will start behind home plate and bat ninth.

AUGUST 17, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Resting against lefty Rortvedt is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Astros, Steve Carney of StPeteNine.com reports.

Impact As is often the case, the lefty-hitting Rortvedt will retreat to the bench while the opposition sends a lefty (Framber Valdez) to the hill. Alex Jackson will fill in for Rortvedt behind the plate.

AUGUST 12, 2024 • ROTOWIRE