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Yes, Ben Rortvedt is actual — and there’s now irrefutable video proof to show it, silencing any lingering doubters throughout the Yankees’ universe.
A debate over Rortvedt’s existence had turn out to be a light-hearted trope on social media over the previous season-plus, because the 25-year-old catcher battled quite a few accidents that stalled his membership debut. Not solely was Rortvedt conscious, however he was in on the gag.
“I know it’s a joke, and it’s pretty funny, but I’m just excited to be here and to play ball,” Rortvedt stated.
Called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre with beginning catcher Jose Trevino coping with a left hamstring pressure, Rortvedt lastly received into the Yanks’ lineup this previous weekend in Cincinnati, going 2-for-4 with a double in New York’s 7-4, 10-inning victory on Saturday afternoon.
“It was awesome, just looking around the dugout to see who we’re surrounded with,” Rortvedt stated. “We’re never out of a game. There’s a bunch of big names. I’m just doing my best to pull my own weight and keep us in the game.”
Originally drafted by the Twins within the second spherical of the 2016 MLB Draft, Rortvedt is a square-jawed, muscular backstop whose defense-first mindset and no-nonsense demeanor have prompted comparisons to a younger Joe Girardi.
In truth, throughout his time with the Twins, Rortvedt’s bulk generated its fair proportion of consideration: a memorable snapshot taken by Minnesota staff photographer Brace Hemmelgarn confirmed Nelson Cruz inspecting Rortvedt’s biceps whereas dealing with a kettlebell within the membership’s weight room.
“It’s not like he is doing a little ungodly quantity of weights,” Twins reliever Tyler Duffey stated then. “He was just touched by God and is gifted in what he’s got. Just making sure to take care of it.”
Rortvedt was a part of the March 2022 commerce with the Twins that delivered third baseman Josh Donaldson and shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa to New York, in change for catcher Gary Sánchez and third baseman Gio Urshela.
But Rortvedt had a pre-existing indirect pressure that saved him sidelined via camp, then sustained a partial meniscus tear in his left knee after taking part in simply two Minor League video games. He was known as as much as the large league squad in early September, however didn’t seem in a sport; therefore, the talk over whether or not Rortvedt was “real.”
This yr, his spring was shut down when he observed that the index finger of his left hand gave the impression to be perpetually turning blue. That prompted the invention of an aneurysm within the posterior artery close to his throwing shoulder — a surprising prognosis, contemplating that if it had gone unaddressed, amputation may need been needed.
“It’s definitely a lot better than before surgery,” Rortvedt stated. “To be completely honest, my finger [issue] is still kind of lingering, but I’m glad I got the surgery. It’s a big improvement from where it was before. I’m pretty used to it; it’s kind of back to the point where it’s just stinging as a catcher’s [finger] should.”
Content Source: www.mlb.com