Dodgers Bring Back Carlos Duran on Minor League Deal After Stint with A's
The Dodgers are dipping back into a familiar well, bringing right-hander Carlos Duran back into the fold on a minor league deal after a season that saw him bounce between organizations and levels. It’s a reunion that makes sense for both sides - a chance for the Dodgers to bolster their pitching depth, and for Duran to get another shot with the team that originally signed him.
Duran, now 24, first joined the Dodgers as an international free agent back in 2018. He spent parts of six seasons developing in their system before being traded to Oakland in April in exchange for outfielder Esteury Ruiz. Before the move, Duran made a brief appearance for Triple-A Oklahoma City, flashing his potential with 4.1 innings of one-run ball and eight strikeouts - a tantalizing glimpse of what he can do when everything clicks.
After the trade, Duran continued to pitch in Triple-A, splitting time between the Dodgers’ and Athletics’ affiliates. He appeared in 38 games, including two starts, and finished the year with a 4-0 record, a 5.03 ERA, and a 1.72 WHIP over 62.2 innings. The ERA and WHIP suggest he was working through some command issues and traffic on the bases, but the undefeated record speaks to his ability to limit damage in key moments - a trait that teams value in bullpen arms.
His overall minor league résumé is a mixed bag: a 4-20 record with a 4.27 ERA and 1.45 WHIP across 119 games (80 of them starts) over six seasons. The numbers don’t jump off the page, but they also don’t tell the whole story. Duran has shown flashes - like that eight-strikeout outing in OKC - that suggest there’s still untapped upside in his arm.
Duran did get a brief taste of the big leagues with the A’s in May, but it was a rough welcome. He faced five batters, recorded just one out, and gave up three runs on a hit and three walks. That outing was enough for the A’s to send him back down, and by June, he was designated for assignment and returned to Triple-A for the rest of the season.
Now, he’s back where it all started. The Dodgers brought him in alongside fellow minor league signees Nick Frasso and Chuckie Robinson, reinforcing their depth chart heading into 2026.
While Duran isn’t expected to crack the Opening Day roster, he’s the kind of arm who could get a look if injuries hit the bullpen. His experience, familiarity with the organization, and flashes of strikeout stuff make him a worthwhile depth piece.
At 24, Duran still has time to find consistency and carve out a role, especially in an organization like the Dodgers that’s known for maximizing pitching talent. If he can harness his stuff and tighten up the command, don’t be surprised if he gets another shot at the big leagues - this time wearing Dodger blue.