The Dodgers have released infielder/outfielder Tyler Fitzgerald, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. He landed on the minor league injured list earlier this month, according to his transaction tracker at MLB.com. It appears the Dodgers wanted to remove him from the 40-man but injured players can’t be placed on outright waivers. He’ll be a free agent as soon as he clears release waivers, if he hasn’t already.
Not so long ago, Fitzgerald seemed to be on the verge of a breakout. With the Giants in 2024, he hit 15 home runs in 341 plate appearances and slashed .280/.334/.497 for a wRC+ of 132. Since he has the ability to play any spot on the infield or in the outfield, that was tremendously valuable. There were some yellow flags, since his .380 batting average on balls in play was helping him out a lot and he worked around a 31.7% strikeout rate, but it seemed like he could be a solid utility guy even if the offense backed up a bit.
Last year, even those who were expecting some regression were probably surprised by how far he fell. He finished the year with a .217/.278/.327 line and 72 wRC+, struggling enough to spend most of the second half on optional assignment in the minors. He also didn’t perform in Triple-A, slashing .246/.321/.379 for an 84 wRC+.
The Giants held him on the roster through the offseason but designated him for assignment in late March, just after the 2026 season began. He was traded to the Blue Jays for cash, with that club keeping him in the minors as depth. He hit .150/.150/.200 in a small sample of six Triple-A games before the Jays designated him for assignment and flipped him to the Dodgers in another cash deal.
With the Dodgers, he seemed to bounce back a bit, hitting .293/.400/.598 in 24 games for Triple-A Oklahoma City. Unfortunately, as mentioned, his progress was interrupted by injury. It’s not publicly known what injury Fitzgerald is dealing with but it has nudged him off the roster regardless. The Dodgers have Tommy Edman on a rehab assignment at the moment and he is currently on the 60-day IL, so perhaps this helps them to clear a spot for Edman’s return.
Regardless of the reason, Fitzgerald is sure to find a landing spot somewhere. Though he wasn’t good in the majors last year, his 2024 showing, his versatility and his recent form since joining the Dodgers are all intriguing. The nature of his injury will determine whether he can help any club in the short term or if he would be more of a long-term play at this point.
Photo courtesy of Kelley L Cox, Imagn Images
If we can’t have James Outman anymore we can at least have his doppleganger. Plus who doesn’t want a whole set of Grey/Kreidler/Fitzgerald/Arcia? That’s an infield with options!
It seems you may be unclear on the definition of doppleganger. That’s the better option than visual acuity issues, anyway.
As a Dodger fan, I’d love to have Kreidler.
Ok Brewers. No brainer here.
– Perkins
+ Fitzgerald
Not that he’s THAT MUCH better, but I’m not 100% convinced I’m not even an upgrade over Perkins. Fitzgerald is at least a better option at pinch hitter and that’s all you really would need him for. Anybody with an OPS over .300 is better than Perkins.
Lockridge should be back soon, though I do think Fitz could be much needed IF depth at Nashville if they want to DFA Rengifo to bring up Pratt.
If Brewer fans like big winds delivered from home plate, then Fitz is your guy.
Dodgers might be clearing a 40 player roster space for a catcher with Smith dealing with a neck injury.
Dodgers RELEASING and not SIGNING players? Is this ruining baseball?
Tyler Fitzgerald: You know what I need? I need a drink. There’s some ice and stuff back there. Why don’t you make us all some old fashioneds?
I’d say a high BABIP, along with a SO% almost 10 points higher than league average is more than a couple yellow flags. He’s struggled since 2024 because he was lucky when he didn’t strike out.
The Giants had to choose between Fitzgerald and Otto Lopez, and went with Fitzgerald because of the defensive versatility. In retrospect, with Lopez currently hitting .341 with an .859 OPS, that was a huge mistake.
Poor Fitzgerald did not find Dodger stadium to be this side of Paradise but as we all know, the rich are different.
call the Twinkies !!
Tommy Edman has spent a lot of time on the IL since joining the Dodgers. That is all.