Dodgers News: Ryan Fitzgerald DFA’d, Andy Ibáñez Deal Made Official
The Dodgers have signed INF Andy Ibáñez to a 1-year deal and DFA'd Ryan Fitzgerald
LOS ANGELES, CA—Over the weekend, the Los Angeles Dodgers added to their infield depth by acquiring recently DFA’d utility infielder Ryan Fitzgerald from the Minnesota Twins and reportedly signing Andy Ibáñez to a 1-year deal.
However, to make the Ibáñez move official, the Dodgers needed to make a 40-man roster move, as it was already full after the Fitzgerald claim.
Well, that move was made today as the Dodgers DFA’d Fitzgerald while also announcing their 1-year, $1.2 million deal with Ibáñez for the 2026 season.
Ibáñez had spent the last three seasons in Detroit, where he slashed .251/.304/.392 with 20 home runs, 96 runs, 94 RBI, and a 93 wRC+ in 304 games, but spent two seasons with the Texas Rangers in 2021 and 2022.
However, Ibáñez was non-tendered by Detroit in November and became an unrestricted free agent.
Nevertheless, Ibáñez delivered two strong offensive seasons in 2021 and 2023, but has been well below league average since then. The Dodgers might think they can improve his hitting and turn him into a valuable bench player.
Ibáñez does not have any minor league options remaining, which is why the Tigers likely opted to move on for roster flexibility. It remains to be seen how long Ibáñez stays on the team, especially when Edman and perhaps Kiké Hernández, should the ladder be re-signed, are in the mix.
Fitzgerald’s time in Dodger Blue was short, but the 31-year-old slashed .277/.367/.469 in 59 Triple-A games last season while also spending 24 games with the Twins, where he only hit .196 but did post a .758 OPS while also slugging four home runs.
If the Dodgers don’t trade or place Fitzgerald on waivers, because he has less than three years of big league service time and doesn’t have a previous career outright, he won’t have the right to elect free agency, meaning he’d rejoin the Dodgers minor league roster.
Given his defensive versatility and solid year with the bat, it’s possible he draws interest from a club in need of some extra depth. If not, the Dodgers will keep him as non-roster depth.
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