Dodgers DFA Anthony Banda After Back-to-Back Postseason Runs - What’s Next for the Veteran Lefty?
Anthony Banda’s journey through Major League Baseball has been anything but linear - and now, it’s taking another unexpected turn. The Los Angeles Dodgers designated the 31-year-old left-handed reliever for assignment on Saturday, making room on the roster after claiming catcher Ben Rortvedt off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds.
It’s a tough break for Banda, who had finally carved out a meaningful role in L.A. after years of bouncing from team to team. He’s pitched in six different big-league markets over the past three years alone, including a brief stint with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2022. But after two solid seasons with the Dodgers - and a key role in their 2025 World Series run - Banda now finds himself on the outside looking in.
From Journeyman to October Contributor
Banda’s story starts back in 2012 when the Milwaukee Brewers selected him in the 10th round of the MLB Draft. Two years later, he was part of a trade deadline deal that sent him and Mitch Haniger to Arizona in exchange for Gerardo Parra.
He made his MLB debut with the Diamondbacks in July 2017 but didn’t stay long. A few months later, Banda was part of a complex three-team trade involving the Rays and Yankees - a deal that also sent Brandon Drury to New York and Steven Souza Jr. to Arizona.
His time with the Rays from 2018 to 2020 was limited - just 25.2 innings over three seasons, with a 5.29 ERA - and the next few years saw Banda in near-constant motion. Between 2021 and 2022, he suited up for the Mets, Pirates, Blue Jays, and Yankees, often shuttling between the majors and minors.
Toronto fans might remember his brief tenure in 2022, when Banda appeared in seven games - including one start - after being acquired on July 2. He pitched 6.1 innings, struck out seven, and gave up three earned runs before being granted free agency in early August. He signed with Seattle shortly after but never appeared in a game for the Mariners, and by late August, he was on the move again - this time to the Yankees.
The following year, Banda pitched in 10 games for the Nationals before hitting free agency once again. The Guardians picked him up in January 2024, but by May, the Dodgers came calling. And that’s where things finally started to click.
A Breakthrough in Los Angeles
In many ways, Banda’s 2024 season with the Dodgers was the breakthrough he’d been chasing for years. He appeared in 48 games, striking out 50 batters over 49.2 innings.
His 130 ERA+ and 1.24 WHIP pointed to a pitcher who had found his rhythm, and his 3.67 FIP suggested the performance wasn’t a fluke. Opponents hit just .238 against him, and his hard-hit rate dropped to 39.1% - a meaningful improvement.
But it was in the postseason where Banda truly made his mark. In eight playoff innings, he allowed just one earned run and struck out 11.
His command wavered at times - six walks - but he limited the damage. In the World Series against the Yankees, Banda was a key piece of the bullpen puzzle, appearing in four of five games and holding New York scoreless across two hits.
That kind of performance on the biggest stage helped the Dodgers clinch the title in five games and earned Banda a spot on the defending champs' roster heading into 2025.
A Solid 2025 Regular Season, A Rough October
Banda followed up his breakout year with a career-high 71 appearances in 2025, logging 65 innings with a 3.18 ERA and another 130 ERA+. His WHIP ticked down slightly to 1.21, and he struck out 61 batters. For a Dodgers team loaded with firepower, Banda was a steady, reliable presence out of the bullpen.
But the postseason told a different story. The Blue Jays got to him in the World Series, tagging him for six earned runs in just three innings.
He gave up two home runs and failed to record a strikeout - a sharp contrast to his 2024 dominance. It wasn’t the ending Banda or the Dodgers had hoped for, but that lone series doesn’t erase the value he brought over two strong seasons in Los Angeles.
Still Valuable - Especially Against Lefties
Despite the DFA, Banda’s skill set still holds real value - especially in a league that’s always looking for effective left-handed relief. During the 2025 regular season, left-handed hitters managed just a .153/.241/.255 slash line against him.
That’s elite-level production in a specialist role. His 2.33 strikeout-to-walk ratio against lefties adds another layer of reliability.
There’s no shortage of teams that could use that kind of arm in their bullpen, particularly as camps open and rosters start to take shape. While his future is uncertain for now, Banda has shown he can contribute - and even thrive - on a contending team. Whether it’s a minor league deal with a spring invite or a straight-up bullpen addition, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him land with a team looking for veteran left-handed depth.
After all, Banda has proven he can adapt, adjust, and deliver - even when the odds are stacked against him.