Dodgers Shuffle Roster as Spring Training Nears, Lose Ibáñez to A’s on Waiver Claim
With spring training just around the corner, the Dodgers’ front office has been anything but quiet. As the final pieces of the offseason puzzle start to fall into place, Los Angeles continues to fine-tune its 40-man roster - and that’s led to a flurry of moves, waiver claims, and a bit of roster roulette.
The latest twist? Infielder Andy Ibáñez is headed to Oakland. After being designated for assignment by the Dodgers, the 32-year-old was claimed by the A’s, ending his brief stint in L.A. before it really began.
Ibáñez had signed a one-year, $1.2 million deal with the Dodgers earlier this winter, but his lack of minor league options made him a tough fit for a roster that’s already packed with talent and short on flexibility. If he’d cleared waivers, the Dodgers could’ve stashed him in Triple-A with an invite to spring training - but the A’s didn’t give them the chance.
It’s a calculated risk that didn’t pay off for the Dodgers, who had to make room after reclaiming outfielder Mike Siani from the Yankees. Siani’s path has been a bit of a ping-pong match lately - first DFA’d by the Dodgers to open a roster spot for the official signing of Kyle Tucker’s record-breaking four-year deal, then claimed by the Yankees, only to be DFA’d again when New York re-signed Cody Bellinger. The Dodgers pounced the moment he hit waivers, bringing back the glove-first outfielder.
To make room for Siani’s return, Ibáñez became the odd man out.
While Ibáñez isn’t a star, he’s the kind of player teams value for depth - a versatile infielder with solid contact skills and a proven ability to hit left-handed pitching. Over five big league seasons, he’s posted a .254/.304/.389 slash line, but his real value shows up in platoon situations. Against lefties, he’s slashed a strong .280/.372/.452 - numbers that make him a useful bench piece or matchup option.
Still, with no minor league options and a crowded infield picture in L.A., the Dodgers were left with little choice.
Now, the focus shifts to how the Dodgers will replace that infield depth. A reunion with Kiké Hernández - a fan favorite and postseason hero with positional versatility - is looking increasingly likely. Hernández brings the kind of defensive flexibility and clubhouse presence that fits seamlessly into what the Dodgers like to build around.
As spring training kicks off next week, the Dodgers’ roster is still a work in progress. But with a front office that’s never afraid to make bold moves or shuffle the deck, don’t be surprised if there’s more action to come before Opening Day.