The Los Angeles Dodgers have claimed infielder Ryan Fitzgerald off waivers from the Minnesota Twins, according to ESPN’s Alden González.

Fitzgerald, 32 in June, represents a depth piece for one of baseball’s premier rosters, joining a team that has won back-to-back World Series titles and is looking to maintain its competitive edge in 2026.

Fitzgerald’s path to the major leagues is a story of perseverance. After years spent in independent leagues and the minors, he finally made his MLB debut with the Twins last season, just before turning 31.

In 24 games, Fitzgerald stepped to the plate 53 times and posted a .196/.302/.457 batting line, while displaying defensive versatility by logging time at all four infield positions.

His speed remains an asset, with sprint metrics placing him in the 79th percentile of big leaguers despite recording only one stolen base. In Triple-A, he produced a more robust .277/.367/.469 line, though that performance was aided by a notably high batting average on balls in play (.349).

The Dodgers acquired Fitzgerald after trading outfielder Esteury Ruiz to the Miami Marlins last month, which opened a 40-man roster spot. Minnesota had designated Fitzgerald for assignment last week when they added Eric Wagaman from Miami, creating the opportunity for Los Angeles to swoop in.

For the Dodgers, Fitzgerald is not expected to play a regular role but adds valuable versatility to a veteran-laden infield. Los Angeles’ starters include Mookie Betts at shortstop, a former outfielder turned infielder at age 33, Max Muncy at third (35), and Freddie Freeman at first (36).

Second base features a more fluid situation, with Tommy Edman, Hyeseong Kim, Miguel Rojas, and top prospect Alex Freeland all in the mix. Edman can shift between the infield and outfield and is recovering from ankle surgery.

Kim provides positional flexibility, Rojas is nearing 37, and Freeland has minor league options that could see him receive regular playing time in the minors rather than a part-time role in the majors.

Fitzgerald’s ability to play multiple infield positions and contribute on the basepaths makes him an attractive bench option. He could provide spot starts, allow veterans occasional rest, or enter games as a late-inning replacement or pinch runner in lopsided contests.

Additionally, with two minor league options remaining, the Dodgers could choose to stash him in Triple-A as insurance against potential injuries during the season.

With just 65 days of major league service time, Fitzgerald remains under a league-minimum salary and is several years away from arbitration eligibility, making him a low-risk, high-flexibility addition to Los Angeles’ roster.

Fitzgerald may not be a headline-grabbing acquisition, but his experience and adaptability could prove valuable over the grind of a 162-game campaign.

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