Dodgers add Andy Ibáñez and Ryan Fitzgerald to…
For weeks, the Dodgers had been linked with big-name free brokers like Kyle Tucker, Bo Bichette and Cody Bellinger.
On Friday, however, the membership made a pair of comparatively more minor strikes in an effort to bolster its infield depth.
The group agreed to a one-year contract with 32-year-old veteran Andy Ibáñez, a source confirmed, and also claimed 31-year-old journeyman Ryan Fitzgerald off waivers from the Minnesota Twins.
Cuban utility participant Andy Ibañez and the Los Angeles Dodgers are in settlement on a contract, per sources. Pending bodily.— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) January 9, 2026
The group agreed to a one-year contract with 32-year-old veteran Andy Ibáñez. Getty Images
Fitzgerald’s waiver declare pushed the membership’s 40-man roster back to capability, which means the group will need to make another roster transfer before finalizing its signing of Ibáñez (which was first reported by baseball journalist Francys Romero). The financial phrases of Ibáñez’s deal, which is pending a bodily, weren’t immediately clear.
The right-handed-hitting Ibáñez has a profession .254 batting average over 5 big-league campaigns, but is coming off a down season with the Detroit Tigers in which he slashed .239/.301/.352 with just 4 home runs and 21 RBIs in 91 video games. His 81 OPS+ was a career-low for a yr he’d performed more than 40 video games.
With Ibáñez eligible for arbitration after incomes $1.4 million in 2025, the Tigers declined to tender him a contract at the end of the season, making him a free agent.
The Cuban native is a strong defender, primarily at second and third base. He also has expertise at first base, shortstop and the nook outfield spots.
That versatility may very well be useful for the Dodgers, who are unsure if Tommy Edman shall be prepared for the start of the season after present process ankle surgical procedure this winter. Kiké Hernández, who stays a candidate to re-sign with the membership later this winter, would also seemingly be unavailable for the start of the season if he certainly returns while he recovers from an offseason elbow surgical procedure.
The group also claimed 31-year-old journeyman Ryan Fitzgerald off waivers from the Minnesota Twins. Getty Images
Fitzgerald, a seven-year minor-leaguer who finally made his MLB debut with the Twins last season, figures to present additional depth insurance coverage, while also giving the Dodgers another left-handed-hitting option in the group.
A former undrafted prospect out of Creighton University who started his professional profession in unbiased league ball, Fitzgerald batted just .196 in 24 video games with the Twins in 2025, but did swat 4 home runs with 9 RBIs in his 53 plate appearances. Over 708 profession minor-league video games, he has batted .258 with a .770 OPS –– including a .277 average and .837 OPS in triple-A last yr.
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