The Los Angeles Dodgers have bolstered their catching depth by signing veteran backstop Chadwick Tromp to a minor-league contract.
The deal, finalized on Aug. 13, assigns the 31-year-old Aruban catcher to Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he will provide organizational depth as the club navigates ongoing injury concerns behind the plate.
Tromp arrives in the Dodgers system after electing free agency earlier this month. The Baltimore Orioles designated him for assignment on July 31, and he refused a minor-league assignment on Aug. 4 to become a free agent.
Prior to that, the right-handed hitter had spent time bouncing between the Orioles and Atlanta Braves organizations, a pattern that defined much of his recent career. This marks the first time in several years that Tromp has signed with a club outside of those two franchises.
A career journeyman who has appeared in parts of seven major-league seasons, Tromp owns a modest .208 batting average with six home runs across 229 plate appearances.
His most substantial big-league sample came in 2020 with the San Francisco Giants, when he played in 24 games. This season, he struggled at the plate, hitting just .163 without a home run in 21 combined contests between Atlanta and Baltimore.
Defensively, however, Tromp has long been valued for his experience and reliability as a secondary option, qualities that appealed to a Dodgers organization seeking stable depth.
Los Angeles has faced notable challenges at the catching position in 2026. Star catcher Will Smith has been sidelined with a neck injury, while prospect Dalton Rushing is dealing with a partial UCL tear that has raised questions about his ability to throw for the remainder of the year.
The current major-league tandem consists of Hunter Feduccia and Ben Rortvedt, with rookie Eliezer Alfonzo also in the mix at Triple-A. The addition of Tromp comes alongside the release of Chuckie Robinson, a corresponding move that cleared space in the organization for the new signing.
For Tromp, the opportunity offers another chance to contribute at the highest levels of professional baseball. He will report immediately to Oklahoma City and work to stay sharp in case injuries create an opening on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster.
While he is unlikely to force his way into a significant everyday role given the current depth chart, his service time and familiarity with major-league pitching make him a sensible depth piece for a contending club.
The signing reflects the Dodgers’ pragmatic approach to roster management as they push through the second half of the season.
By adding a low-risk, experienced catcher on a minor-league deal, Los Angeles strengthens its insurance options without committing significant resources, positioning itself to weather further injury setbacks while keeping an eye on the postseason.
