Ben Rortvedt
C FA
Mon 5/16/22 2:26 PM

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Sunday that Rortvedt could require surgery to address his knee injury, Brendan Kuty of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.
EDGE Analysis
Rortvedt was placed on the injured list prior to Opening Day due to a right oblique strain, but his minor-league rehab assignment at Single-A Tampa was halted earlier this month on account of an unrelated knee issue. The Yankees haven't specified which of the knees is a concern for Rortvedt, though Boone noted that the young backstop has dealt with a knee issue in the past. Rortvedt is expected to undergo an MRI this week, which should provide more clarity on the extent of his knee injury while also aiding the Yankees' decision on whether or not he needs surgery.

Ben Rortvedt
C FA
Sat 5/14/22 11:59 AM

Rortvedt's minor-league rehab assignment has stalled due to a new knee issue, and he is slated to get an MRI soon, Max Goodman of SI.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Rortvedt missed the start of the campaign due to an oblique injury, but that issue has since subsided, and the catcher was able to start a minor-league rehab assignment with Single-A Tampa. However, he played in only two games before feeling discomfort in his knee, and he hasn't returned to the field since the issue flared up May 8. Yankees manager Aaron Boone suggested that the organization is uncertain about the extent of the injury, stating, "We're kind of trying to get our hands wrapped around that. He caught the other day and the knee was kind of catching on him a little bit. So we got to see what we have there." Boone also indicated that Rortvedt will get an MRI on the ailing knee, which should provide clarity about his status moving forward.

Ben Rortvedt
C FA
Sat 5/7/22 12:29 PM

Rortvedt (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment at Single-A Tampa on Saturday.
EDGE Analysis
Rortvedt has been dealing with a Grade 1 oblique strain since mid-March, and he began the regular season on the 10-day injured list. Since the backstop didn't appear in any Grapefruit League matchups this spring, he'll presumably play in several rehab games before rejoining the Yankees. Kyle Higashioka and Jose Trevino haven't been particularly effective behind the plate early in the year, so Rortvedt should have a chance to compete for playing time once he's cleared to return.

Ben Rortvedt
C FA
Mon 5/2/22 9:25 PM

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Sunday that Rortvedt (oblique) is a "full-go" for batting practice and defensive work, Jordan Wolf of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Rortvedt recently had imaging performed that showed no sign of the right oblique strain that has kept him out of game action so far this season, and he appears ready to start increasing his baseball activity in anticipation of a return. Boone noted that the backstop isn't yet prepared to face live pitching or embark on a rehab assignment, but the manager also suggested that Rortvedt could be "getting close to that." Primary catcher Kyle Higashioka is batting only .136 this season, and Jose Trevino hasn't done much better at .208, so Rortvedt could get a shot to show what he can do with the Yankees when he's able to return.

Ben Rortvedt
C FA
Sat 4/23/22 12:40 AM

According to Yankees manager Aaron Boone, Rortvedt (oblique) is "doing pretty well, but [is] not ready to play in any games yet," Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Rortvedt's oblique strain was a known issue prior to the Yankees trading for him in mid-March, and he has gradually been working his way back from the injury since that time. The backstop has been cleared fully for defensive work and recently underwent imaging that showed no trace of the strain, but he was briefly backed off his hitting work after experiencing discomfort. Boone indicated Friday that Rortvedt is "over the injury now," so he could progress to batting-practice drills soon. A return in early May appears to be plausible but not certain.

Ben Rortvedt
C FA
Mon 4/11/22 5:19 PM

Manager Aaron Boone said that Rortvedt (oblique) will "significantly" increase his hitting activity Monday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Rortvedt underwent recent imaging that showed no lingering signs of the strained right oblique that shut him down early in spring training, so he'll begin ramping up in preparation for making his season debut. The young catcher had already been cleared fully for defensive work, so he could be cleared to begin a rehab assignment within a few days if he responds well to facing live pitching. Rortvedt is seemingly on track to come off the 10-day injured list at some point in the second half of April.

Ben Rortvedt
C FA
Thu 4/7/22 12:19 PM

The Yankees placed Rortvedt (oblique) on the 10-day injured list Thursday.
EDGE Analysis
The move can be backdated three days, making Rortvedt eligible to return April 14. It's unclear if he'll be ready at that point, however, as his strained right oblique kept him from playing in any Grapefruit League games. Kyle Higashioka and Jose Trevino will open the season as the Yankees' catchers.

Ben Rortvedt
C FA
Sat 4/2/22 7:31 PM

Rortvedt (oblique) is expected to begin the season on the injured list, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.
EDGE Analysis
The catcher was acquired by the Yankees on March 13 in a trade that included Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Josh Donaldson and sent away Gary Sanchez. Once healthy, Rortvedt is expected to compete with Kyle Higashioka for the starting job behind the plate this season. In 39 games with the Twins last season, the 24-year-old slashed .169/.229/.281 with three homers and seven RBI.

Ben Rortvedt
C FA
Fri 4/1/22 1:32 PM

Rortvedt (oblique) isn't expected to be ready to play in any spring training games, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Rortvedt was acquired in a trade with the Twins at the start of camp but has battled an oblique strain all spring. He's expected to eventually compete with Kyle Higashioka for starts behind the plate, but Higashioka appears to be penciled in as the primary catcher to start the season, with Rortvedt likely heading to the injured list.

Ben Rortvedt
C FA
Tue 3/29/22 3:26 PM

Rortvedt (oblique) was cleared to resume hitting off a tee Monday, Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports.
EDGE Analysis
Rortvedt has taken another step forward in his recovery from an oblique strain, but he'll likely need to graduate to hitting soft-toss pitching and then live batting practice before being deemed ready for Opening Day. The young catcher doesn't look like he'll have enough time to gain clearance for the April 7 season opener versus Boston, but he shouldn't be in store for a lengthy stay on the injured list to begin the campaign. In the meantime, Kyle Higashioka is expected to serve as the Yankees' top backstop while Rortvedt is idle.