The Dodgers announced that they have designated infielder/outfielder Ryan Fitzgerald for assignment. That’s the corresponding 40-man move to make their signing of infielder Andy Ibáñez official.
Fitzgerald, 32, has never played for the Dodgers. He was just claimed off waivers from the Twins last week. After years of grinding his way through indy ball and the minor leagues, Minnesota gave him a chance to make his major league debut last year. He stepped to the plate 53 times in 24 games, producing a .196/.302/.457 batting line. He played all four infield spots and flashed 79th percentile sprint speed. He also stepped to the plate 245 times in Triple-A and slashed .277/.367/.469 at that level.
That was enough for the Dodgers to grab him while they had an open roster spot but they have now bumped him off. It’s possible that this was by design. Fitzgerald has less than three years of big league service time and doesn’t have a previous career outright, meaning he wouldn’t have the right to elect free agency if he were passed through waivers unclaimed.
Now that he has been designated for assignment, the Dodgers will have to either trade him or put him back on the waiver wire in the next five days. 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.
Photo courtesy of Jesse Johnson, Imagn Images
I’m expecting “This one belongs to the Reds” to give his reasoning on how the big-market Dodgers DFA’ing Ryan Fitzgerald contributes to the decline of baseball ‘between the coasts’.
This was my first thought. : ‘ (
SELL!!! THE!!!!! TEAM!!!!!!!
This gives the Tigers a chance to grab him. I like his power numbers, speed, and versatility. Really good addition to a Tiger team that likes players who can play almost anywhere on the diamond. Trivia for you. Only 2 players hit homeruns last year while being in the game as pitchers? Ryan and who else?
Suddenly opening a roster swap by dropping a guy they just acquired can only mean on thing:,Harrison Bader is on his way!
I thought it was to make room for Ibanez, since the 40 man roster was full when he was signed.
Shocker.
Come back to the Twins maybe they are regretting losing him.
The Marlins love this kind of player