Originally published by DodgerBlue.com
With Will Smith and Dalton Rushing nursing respective injuries, the Los Angeles Dodgers made a concerted effort to bolster their catching depth at the MLB trade deadline.
The Dodgers first reunited with Ben Rortvedt in a trade with the New York Mets before acquiring another familiar face in Hunter Feduccia from the Tampa Bay Rays.
L.A. also acquired pitching prospect Jacob Kmatz in the Feduccia deal that sent Jack Suwinski and international bonus pool money to Tampa Bay. According to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, the Dodgers gave up just $250,000 in international bonus pool space as part of their trade with the Rays.
Dodgers sending $250K in bonus pool money in this one. https://t.co/PjAS6SfmG0
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) August 3, 2026
The Dodgers sending $250,000 to the Rays was the smallest total they could have parted with in a trade. International bonus pool money must be traded in $250,000 increments.
Feduccia rejoined the Dodgers after being traded to the Rays last summer in the deal that netted Rortvedt and Paul Gervase. The 29-year-old appeared in 60 games for Tampa Bay this year, hitting .234 with two homers and 12 RBI.
Feduccia has now appeared in parts of three MLB seasons with the Dodgers (2024-25, 2026) and Rays (2025-26), batting .207 with two homers and 21 RBI. In seven Minor League seasons, he is a .271 hitter with 55 homers and 308 RBI.
Feduccia originally joined the Dodgers after being selected out of LSU in the 12th round of the 2018 MLB Draft.
Hunter Feduccia’s role with Dodgers
With Smith and Rushing both on the injured list, the Dodgers’ catching corps is going to consist of Rortvedt and Feduccia for the time being.
Rortvedt started behind the plate in Tarik Skubal’s Dodgers debut against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday, but Feduccia was in the lineup for the series finale at Wrigley Field.
The additions of Rortvedt and Feduccia pushed out Eliezer Alfonzo, who was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City after struggling as the Dodgers’ backup catcher. Chuckie Robinson was also designated for assignment to clear a spot on the team’s 40-man roster.
Rortvedt and Feduccia don’t offer much in the way of offense, but their familiarity with the organization should help the Dodgers get by while waiting for Smith to return from the IL.
However, there is also a reality where the Dodgers need to eventually lean more heavily on Rortvedt or Feduccia as a backup given that Rushing is dealing with a slight tear in the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
