Yankees catcher Ben Rortvedt began a rehab assignment at Low-A Tampa on May 7 but then disappeared from the Tarpons’ lineup two days later – and we now know why.
According to manager Aaron Boone, Rortvedt has some sort of knee issue that popped up, but did not disclose which knee is affected or the severity or specificity of the issue.
"He's dealing with a knee issue right now," Boone said over the weekend. "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."
Rortvedt will visit team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad this week and likely undergo an MRI to see exactly what this issue is, but Boone noted that whatever the mystery ailment may be, it’s something Rortvedt has dealt with in the past – and might require surgery.
“It’s something he’s dealt with in the past,” Boone said. "We’ll see. It could be some kind of surgical procedure that he may have to get. But we’ll see.”
Rortvedt was the third player acquired from the Twins in the Josh Donaldson deal, and was expected to work in tandem with Kyle Higashioka behind the plate. However, Rortvedt suffered a Grade 1 right oblique strain during the offseason and was rehabbing that, playing two games for the Tarpons before being shut down again.
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The 23-year-old has just a .169 average in 89 MLB at-bats but is noted as a good defender, and any offensive punch he could provide would almost likely be a huge upgrade over the Yankees’ current situation.
The team is 25-9 after Sunday’s win, but in 34 games, Higashioka and Jose Trevino – who was acquired from Texas at the end of spring training when it was determined Rortvedt would not be ready – have combined to go 17-for-103 (.165) with no home runs, eight RBI, seven walks, 13 runs, and just four extra-base hits while striking out 21 times.
Higgy has an OPS+ of 28 and Trevino’s is 30 – both 70 percent or more below league average – and the tandem’s collective mark has ranked among MLB’s worst by position all season.
Thankfully, the defense they provide has been enough, but Boone seemed anxious to get a chance to get Rortvedt in the lineup.
“We're obviously, knock on wood, in pretty good shape here right now with our catching situation," Boone said. "But still, we really are excited about (Rortvedt) and what he brings to the table too. We just got to get him right now. Feel like at some point he'll play a factor for us."
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