Just ahead of spring training, the Los Angeles Dodgers quietly added a familiar name to their mix of non-roster invitees - Nick Senzel. The 30-year-old infielder, once a top draft pick with big-league expectations, is back with the Dodgers for a second stint, and while the transaction itself flew under the radar, the implications are worth a closer look.
Senzel’s name popped up Monday evening when the Dodgers released their list of 32 non-roster invitees. There hadn’t been any prior indication that he was returning to the organization, and his transaction log doesn’t show a clear free agency move after last season.
That opens the door to the possibility that he signed a two-year minor league deal at some point - a structure often used for players rehabbing from injury or in need of extended development time. Whatever the case, he’s back in Dodger blue and looking to claw his way back to the majors.
Let’s not forget: Senzel was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft by the Cincinnati Reds. The tools were loud back then - contact bat, athleticism, defensive versatility.
But the journey since has been uneven. Across parts of six seasons in the majors, Senzel has struggled to find his footing, posting a .662 OPS and a negative-3.1 bWAR.
Defense, particularly at third base and in the outfield, has been a challenge, and injuries haven’t helped his case.
Last season, he spent the year with the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate, where he showed signs of life. In 96 games, Senzel put together a .746 OPS with 12 home runs and 62 RBIs. Not eye-popping numbers, but enough to keep him in the conversation as a depth piece - especially in an organization that values versatility and has a knack for maximizing under-the-radar talent.
Realistically, Senzel’s path back to the majors in 2026 isn’t a clear one. The Dodgers are loaded - arguably the deepest roster in the league - and barring injuries, there’s not an obvious opening for him on the big-league roster.
But spring training is a different beast. With stars ramping up slowly and others heading off to the World Baseball Classic, there will be innings and at-bats up for grabs.
That’s where Senzel can make his case.
He knows the system now, understands the expectations, and has a chance to show he still has something to offer. For a player once projected to be a cornerstone, this is another shot - maybe not to reclaim that trajectory, but to prove he still belongs in the conversation.
For the Dodgers, it’s a low-risk, potentially useful move. For Senzel, it’s a chance to rewrite his story - or at least add a new chapter.