The Dodgers have enjoyed incredible stability at the catching position for several years, but this season was more chaotic, and not just because the team transitioned from veteran Austin Barnes to top
prospect Dalton Rushing. Chuckie Robinson was one of five catchers used by the Dodgers in 2025.
Will Smith debuted midway through the 2019 season, and in each of the last six full years was the Dodgers starting catcher. Every year from 2020-2024, the Dodgers used exactly three catchers, and the extra catchers beyond the top two started a combined 10 games in those five seasons and caught only 1.5 percent of the total innings.
In addition to adding Rushing into the mix in 2025, both Smith and Rushing suffered injuries within a three-day span in the first week of September, which bumped the total Dodgers backstop contingent to five catchers this season. That doesn’t even count Hunter Feduccia, who did play two games with the Dodgers before getting traded but none were behind the plate.
Smith and Rushing accounted for 134 starts and 82.6 percent of the innings in 2025, which meant more catching starts and innings by far from the other catchers this year than in the previous five years combined. Ben Rortvedt, acquired at the trade deadline, was the first new catcher added to the mix, and Robinson joined him two days later, called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City on September 6.
Drafted in 2016 by the Astros, Robinson spent five years in Houston’s minor leagues before the Reds selected the catcher in the minor league portion of the 2020 Rule 5 draft. He made the majors in Cincinnati in 2022 then again with the White Sox in 2024, but didn’t hit in either sting, combining for 17 hits in 129 at-bats.
Chicago traded Robinson to the Angels for cash last December, and he began the season in Triple-A Salt Lake. After getting designated for assignment on May 28, Robinson was claimed off waivers by the Dodgers three days later. This was a little more than two weeks after Rushing replaced Barnes in the majors, and adding Robinson game Triple-A Oklahoma City another catcher.
Robinson’s first sting on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster lasted only three days, as he was designated for assignment on June 3, then stuck around in Triple-A after he cleared waivers.
In 51 games for the Comets, Robinson hit .254/.337/.348 with an 80 wRC+, four home runs, and 30 RBI. He got the call back to the majors on September 6, after Rushing fouled a ball off his leg, but did not play in the two games he was active. Smith was active for a while after taking a foul ball off his right hand, but after things got worse he was finally placed on the injured list on September 13, and would not play again until the National League Division Series.
Smith on the IL brought Robinson back to the Dodgers, and this time he did get into a game. Robinson started and caught seven innings against the Phillies on September 15.
Optioned back to the minors when Rushing returned on September 16, Robinson was claimed by the Braves off waivers on September 21, though he did not get the call to the majors with Atlanta.
2025 stats
Age: 29
Stats: 1 game, 0 for 1 with a sacrifice bunt
Salary: unknown
Game of the year
Both Dodgers September catching additions brought a proclivity to bunt. Rortvedt tied for the team lead with three sacrifices despite playing only three and a half weeks. Robinson’s lone game was September 15 at Dodger Stadium against the Phillies, and he bunted twice in his two plate appearances.
Robinson’s first attempt was successful, moving Andy Pages to third base in the third inning, and Pages scored on a sacrifice fly. In the fifth inning, Robinson’s bunt was right back to pitcher Ranger Suárez, who threw out Pages at third base. Robinson did later score on a sacrifice fly by Mookie Betts.
Roster status
Robinson is on the Braves’ 40-man roster.
