Dodgers Shuffle Infield Depth, Fitzgerald Outrighted After Brief Stint on 40-Man
The Dodgers have been busy fine-tuning their infield depth this January, making a pair of low-risk, potentially high-reward moves that could pay dividends later in the season. First, they claimed 31-year-old utility man Ryan Fitzgerald off waivers from the Twins.
Then, they followed that up by signing Andy Ibáñez to a one-year, $1.2 million deal. But with a full 40-man roster, something had to give.
That something turned out to be Fitzgerald.
Just four days after joining the Dodgers’ 40-man, Fitzgerald was designated for assignment to make room for Ibáñez. It’s a tough break for a player who’s shown flashes of value-especially with the bat-but that’s the business side of baseball.
With less than three years of Major League service time and no prior outright assignments, Fitzgerald didn’t have the option to elect free agency. So, he cleared waivers and has been outrighted to the Dodgers’ minor league camp.
While his stint on the roster was brief, Fitzgerald brings some intriguing tools to the table. He hit .277 with a .367 OBP and .469 slugging in 59 Triple-A games last season, showing a solid blend of on-base ability and power.
He also had a short run with the Twins, appearing in 24 games. Though he batted just .196, he managed a .758 OPS and hit four homers-numbers that suggest he can still do damage when he connects.
Defensively, Fitzgerald offers versatility across the infield, which is always a valuable asset for a team like the Dodgers that prides itself on roster flexibility. While he’s no lock to break camp with the big-league squad, don’t be surprised if he’s back in the picture at some point this season. Injuries happen, and Los Angeles has a history of tapping into its depth when the grind of a 162-game season starts to take its toll.
For now, Fitzgerald will head to minor league camp as a non-roster invitee-likely with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove. And if his bat stays hot, he could find himself back in Dodger blue before long.