Dodgers Claim Ryan Fitzgerald Off Waivers From Twins

[Cody Christie]

The Twins lost a depth piece on Monday as the Dodgers claimed infielder Ryan Fitzgerald off waivers, according to ESPN’s Alden González. Minnesota designated Fitzgerald for assignment last week to make room on the 40-man roster after acquiring Eric Wagaman from the Marlins, a move that quietly set off a chain reaction between three clubs.

Los Angeles had the roster flexibility to make the claim after trading outfielder Esteury Ruiz to Miami late last month. That deal sent Ruiz to the Marlins in exchange for minor league pitcher Adriano Marrero and opened a 40-man spot for the Dodgers. Miami then designated Wagaman for assignment, flipped him to the Twins for minor league pitcher Kade Bragg, and in turn pushed Fitzgerald off Minnesota’s roster. A couple of weeks later, Fitzgerald landed with the Dodgers, turning a series of unrelated transactions into something resembling an accidental three-team trade.

Fitzgerald had openly expressed interest on social media in playing professionally in Asia. Still, the Twins blocked that path, likely hoping he would clear waivers and remain in the organization as upper-level depth. Instead, another club with roster space and a reputation for maximizing role players scooped him up.

Fitzgerald’s journey to this point has been anything but conventional. Now 31, he spent the early part of his career in independent ball, where he played well enough to earn a minor league deal with the Red Sox in 2018. Five years later, he was selected by the Royals in the minor league phase of the 2023 Rule 5 draft, the same draft that saw Wagaman head to the Angels. Fitzgerald never cracked the Royals’ big league roster and opted for free agency after the 2024 season.

That decision led him to Minnesota on a minor league contract and, finally, to the majors. Just shy of his 31st birthday, Fitzgerald made his MLB debut in 2025. His first stint lasted less than a week, but he earned another call-up in August after the Twins shifted into sell mode at the trade deadline and remained with the club for the rest of the season.

The production was solid at every stop. Fitzgerald posted an .837 OPS and a 119 wRC+ in 59 games at Triple-A and followed that up with a .758 OPS and a 110 wRC+ across 24 major league games. He also provided defensive versatility, appearing at all four infield positions. Still, with Minnesota prioritizing roster flexibility and younger options heading into 2026, that combination was not enough to secure his spot.

For the Dodgers, Fitzgerald represents a low-risk depth addition with real versatility, the kind of player they have turned into meaningful contributors before. For the Twins, it is another reminder of how thin the margin can be for fringe roster players, especially in an offseason filled with 40-man juggling.

The ending is bittersweet. Fitzgerald’s path to the majors was long and winding, and his time in Minnesota was brief but productive. Now, he heads to Los Angeles with a chance to stick on one of baseball’s deepest rosters. Even if the Twins could not keep him, something is fitting about a late bloomer getting his opportunity with the defending World Series champions.

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[Linus]

Dodgers want him but we don’t. Hmmmm……

[wavedog]

If a player is not statistically projected to be bottom 2% hitting and defense our management doesn't want them.   Fitzgerald produced too high an OPS with us last year.   Congratulations to Fitzgerald - maybe he will earn a partial World Series share next season.  

[LewFordLives]

If the Twins did block him from playing in Asia, that seems a bit petty. Given his age and where he is on the depth chart, no one should stand in the way of him trying to make a few bucks while he still can.

[Dman]

Fitzgereld was never going to be a long term solution for this team so not a huge deal, but I just don't get the Kreidler love.  I must be missing something. At any rate the Twins were one team away from having him slip through, but the pesky Dodgers have him for now.  Sometimes I wonder if Friedman just likes to stick it to Falvey.

Anyway I wish Fitzgerald the best.  He was fun to watch at AAA and the majors last year.  I think he is a good defender and found some power in his bat which makes him a nice utility option.  I'll be watching the Kriedler, Fitzgerald stats closely this year.

[LewFordLives]

2 minutes ago, Dman said:

 I just don't get the Kreidler love.  I must be missing something.

He's got a career BA of .138.  What's not to like!?

[Parfigliano]

6 hours ago, LewFordLives said:

If the Twins did block him from playing in Asia, that seems a bit petty. Given his age and where he is on the depth chart, no one should stand in the way of him trying to make a few bucks while he still can.

Blocking him was a low class dick move.

[Parfigliano]

6 hours ago, Dman said:

Fitzgereld was never going to be a long term solution for this team so not a huge deal, but I just don't get the Kreidler love.  I must be missing something. At any rate the Twins were one team away from having him slip through, but the pesky Dodgers have him for now.  Sometimes I wonder if Friedman just likes to stick it to Falvey.

Anyway I wish Fitzgerald the best.  He was fun to watch at AAA and the majors last year.  I think he is a good defender and found some power in his bat which makes him a nice utility option.  I'll be watching the Kriedler, Fitzgerald stats closely this year.

Prepare to be disappointed.

[twinstalker]

Well, there goes the season.

[mikelink45]

Maybe our sneaky FO can pull off a trade and get the Dodgers to take Kreidler in a trade for Fitzgerald and we can applaud them for doing something.

By the way, this is an aside, but I have a hard time spelling Kreidler.  I keep hearing my teachers of more than half a century ago saying i before e except after C.

[Julian Bernick]

It seems harsh to block him from Asia-ball, but if he gets a ring, I don't think he'll complain.  I didn't hear Ty France complain much about reduced playing time and only a few at bats... in one of the greatest WS ever. 

I can only think that the Twinks didn't think he was a good defensive SS... and that I guess age-wise, he was going to immediately start to decline there? (But Arcia is same age/slightly older, right?)

[Jeff K]

16 hours ago, Dman said:

Fitzgereld was never going to be a long term solution for this team so not a huge deal, but I just don't get the Kreidler love.  I must be missing something. At any rate the Twins were one team away from having him slip through, but the pesky Dodgers have him for now.  Sometimes I wonder if Friedman just likes to stick it to Falvey.

Anyway I wish Fitzgerald the best.  He was fun to watch at AAA and the majors last year.  I think he is a good defender and found some power in his bat which makes him a nice utility option.  I'll be watching the Kriedler, Fitzgerald stats closely this year.

Exactly.  Fitzgerald over kreidler seems correct.  I must be out of step, because I don't seem to agree much with what the twins are doing.  Re-signing Larnach, picking up Josh Bell are additional examples. 

[Sjoski]

Only the Dodgers could win back‑to‑back World Series and find the another piece to their dynasty in a Twins cast-off.

The real question is what do they see that Falvey doesn't.  Time will tell.

[stringer bell]

6 hours ago, Jeff K said:

Exactly.  Fitzgerald over kreidler seems correct.  I must be out of step, because I don't seem to agree much with what the twins are doing.  Re-signing Larnach, picking up Josh Bell are additional examples. 

I can’t find the quote, but Riley Greene lauded Kreisler’s defense as the best in the Tigers’ organization. 

I’m skeptical that Fitzgerald would hit any more than Keirsey despite having some SSS success last year. The Trade rumors report notes that Fitzgerald has good speed, but only swiped one base for the Twins (again SSS).  

[RpR]

7 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

 The Trade rumors report notes that Fitzgerald has good speed, but only swiped one base for the Twins (again SSS).  

The same team where Buxton has swiped 3rd base only once, so that is not a thing that is worth mentioning.

[Danchat]

You have to wonder if Baldelli put in a word for Fitzgerald since he's part of the Dodgers front office now? I have no idea if he's in any kind of role of influence but you would think he would have had some input on a former player of his.

[old nurse]

17 hours ago, Sjoski said:

Only the Dodgers could win back‑to‑back World Series and find the another piece to their dynasty in a Twins cast-off.

The real question is what do they see that Falvey doesn't.  Time will tell.

As the Dodgers signed Ibanez, the Dodgers see a player with minor league options so they have a plan D. The loss of such a player doesn’t concern the Twins because that type of player is always available for a. Little cash or your former 28th round draft pick 

[Jeff K]

16 hours ago, stringer bell said:

I can’t find the quote, but Riley Greene lauded Kreisler’s defense as the best in the Tigers’ organization. 

I’m skeptical that Fitzgerald would hit any more than Keirsey despite having some SSS success last year. The Trade rumors report notes that Fitzgerald has good speed, but only swiped one base for the Twins (again SSS).  

Neither player is a game changer and are, at best, the 13th guy on the bench.  That said, the Dodgers liked Fitzgerald enough to grab him.

[Riverbrian]

This one bugs me a little. Just a little so I'm not even sure it's a bug. 

Why? 

Like I said... it's bugs me a little and only a little... However... If I had to choose between Fitzgerald and Arcia... I probably would have chosen Fitzgerald.

I understand that it's like choosing Kevin Hart over Danny DeVito for which actor I prefer to get something down from the top shelf. Fitzgerald claimed by the Dodgers suggests that he might be a little taller than Arcia. 

It's probably a long shot that Fitzgerald stays on the Dodgers 40 man roster but also a possibility that he clears waivers when he is sent through to make room for someone else. I honestly wasn't expecting a waiver claim this go round. 

I understand that nobody really cares about either of the choices and won't lose a minute of sleep over either of them. However... unless the Twins have another trick up their sleeve. Somebody is getting a 26 man spot coming out of spring training between Kreidler and Arcia. 

 

[tarheeltwinsfan]

I have been attending spring training for the last 15 years (except for the covid season). In that time and in my non-expert opinion, two middle infielders stood out in infield drills and games as being "exceptionally smooth" shortstops. There was something special about their hands as they fielded grounders and placed the baseball into their throwing hands and then got off a good, hard throw to first base. They were as smooth as a smart phone screen. Did any of you dear readers notice this about Ryan Fitzgerald and Noah Miller, who now have been selected by the best continuously successful baseball organization in the majors, the Dodgers?  Hmmmm.

[bunsen82]

On 1/12/2026 at 8:39 AM, Riverbrian said:

This one bugs me a little. Just a little so I'm not even sure it's a bug. 

Why? 

Like I said... it's bugs me a little and only a little... However... If I had to choose between Fitzgerald and Arcia... I probably would have chosen Fitzgerald.

I understand that it's like choosing Kevin Hart over Danny DeVito for which actor I prefer to get something down from the top shelf. Fitzgerald claimed by the Dodgers suggests that he might be a little taller than Arcia. 

It's probably a long shot that Fitzgerald stays on the Dodgers 40 man roster but also a possibility that he clears waivers when he is sent through to make room for someone else. I honestly wasn't expecting a waiver claim this go round. 

I understand that nobody really cares about either of the choices and won't lose a minute of sleep over either of them. However... unless the Twins have another trick up their sleeve. Somebody is getting a 26 man spot coming out of spring training between Kreidler and Arcia. 

 

Fitzgerald is not staying on the roster.  Even still I don't see this as a big loss.  We claimed a 1st baseman who can actually be a starting 1st baseman.  Fitzgerald at best is a back up.   We still need someone to back up SS and I don't see Kriedler or Arcia being the answer.  

[Riverbrian]

2 minutes ago, bunsen82 said:

Fitzgerald is not staying on the roster.  Even still I don't see this as a big loss.  We claimed a 1st baseman who can actually be a starting 1st baseman.  Fitzgerald at best is a back up.   We still need someone to back up SS and I don't see Kriedler or Arcia being the answer.  

Like I said in my post. I also don't expect Fitz to remain on the 40 man with the Dodgers. It's not a big loss it's like choosing between Kevin Hart and Danny DeVito to get something down off the top shelf. 

The Dodgers just happened to have 40 man space at the moment and they claimed him and they may keep him when he goes unclaimed when they have to send him through waivers. All teams have roster space limitations that they must contend with. 

There is still off-season to go... there will be some other SS candidates who will become available when the 26 and 40 man rosters have to be finalized coming out of camp. And... The Twins could still shock us all with a trade of some sort to address the position better.  

For the moment though... On January 12th 2026. It just bugged me a little because I would have chosen Fitzgerald over Arcia... Over Kreidler as well. Right now... I can't discount the possibility that Arcia or Kreidler take a 26 man spot out of spring training.

It's January 13th now. SS depth is a sore spot with me. 

All I can do is wait for news as it trickles in and see what the final product is and then how it performs. 

     

 

[nicksaviking]

On 1/12/2026 at 8:39 AM, Riverbrian said:

This one bugs me a little. Just a little so I'm not even sure it's a bug. 

Why? 

Like I said... it's bugs me a little and only a little... However... If I had to choose between Fitzgerald and Arcia... I probably would have chosen Fitzgerald.

I understand that it's like choosing Kevin Hart over Danny DeVito for which actor I prefer to get something down from the top shelf. Fitzgerald claimed by the Dodgers suggests that he might be a little taller than Arcia. 

It's probably a long shot that Fitzgerald stays on the Dodgers 40 man roster but also a possibility that he clears waivers when he is sent through to make room for someone else. I honestly wasn't expecting a waiver claim this go round. 

I understand that nobody really cares about either of the choices and won't lose a minute of sleep over either of them. However... unless the Twins have another trick up their sleeve. Somebody is getting a 26 man spot coming out of spring training between Kreidler and Arcia. 

 

It also annoys me that they seemingly chose Arcia over Fitzgerald. Not because I wanted to keep Fitzgerald on the roster, but because it feels like they think Arcia is a known name so that must mean he's a better player. And he's not a better player than anyone as far as I can tell.

Buuuut, to be fair, that's not exactly how this worked. Fitzgerald had to be on the 40-man, Arcia didn't. 

[nicksaviking]

23 minutes ago, bunsen82 said:

Fitzgerald is not staying on the roster.  Even still I don't see this as a big loss.  We claimed a 1st baseman who can actually be a starting 1st baseman.  Fitzgerald at best is a back up.   We still need someone to back up SS and I don't see Kriedler or Arcia being the answer.  

I don't care about losing Fitzgerald.

I do care that someone in the Twins organization thinks Wagaman should be a starting 1st baseman. He can't hit for power and can't get on base. The Twins traded for a guy Miami would have DFA'd before the season started.

[Riverbrian]

3 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

It also annoys me that they seemingly chose Arcia over Fitzgerald. Not because I wanted to keep Fitzgerald on the roster, but because it feels like they think Arcia is a known name so that must mean he's a better player. And he's not a better player than anyone as far as I can tell.

Buuuut, to be fair, that's not exactly how this worked. Fitzgerald had to be on the 40-man, Arcia didn't. 

Yeah I get that. Wagaman is here now. Someone had to go. 

The SS depth just pisses me off to the point that I'm "Slightly Bugged" that we just gave up a 12 on a scale of 1 to 100 and are now left with a 9. We got to at least land a 16 before the off-season is done because the Twins are going for it. 

I won't know who it will be but I will make this prediction right now. Whoever it is. If whoever it is stays healthy... they will get at least 100 AB's this year because others won't stay healthy. 

 

[DJL44]

25 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

I do care that someone in the Twins organization thinks Wagaman should be a starting 1st baseman. He can't hit for power and can't get on base. The Twins traded for a guy Miami would have DFA'd before the season started.

Wagaman was DFA'd when the Twins acquired him.

The only thing useful about Wagaman is his 3 options. If he's the 18th position player on the roster, he's useful. Unfortunately, the Twins have 8 guys like that.

[nicksaviking]

28 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

Yeah I get that. Wagaman is here now. Someone had to go. 

The SS depth just pisses me off to the point that I'm "Slightly Bugged" that we just gave up a 12 on a scale of 1 to 100 and are now left with a 9. We got to at least land a 16 before the off-season is done because the Twins are going for it. 

I won't know who it will be but I will make this prediction right now. Whoever it is. If whoever it is stays healthy... they will get at least 100 AB's this year because others won't stay healthy. 

 

I'm actually going to predict that Culpepper is up before the end of May.

Not necessarily because he should be, but because I think the primary goal of the new ownership groups is (to make as much money as possible obviously, but to do that, they need) to bring the fans back. They aren't spending money on big name free agents, so I think they'll bring up the young top prospects and cross their fingers that a couple turn into household names. And with more business savvy bosses in charge, I'll bet they better market these young players than they used to.

So they'll give most of us what we want as a bribe to watch and go to games. And lucky for them, this bribe costs them nothing but a possible arbitration year that this ownership group is never likely to have to deal with.

[Riverbrian]

9 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

I don't care about losing Fitzgerald.

I do care that someone in the Twins organization thinks Wagaman should be a starting 1st baseman. He can't hit for power and can't get on base. The Twins traded for a guy Miami would have DFA'd before the season started.

That's the thing that drives me crazy. In consideration of the 1B depth... Wagaman is almost necessary. 

Of course... as things stand today. If nobody else is brought in. Wagaman has options and can be placed in St. Paul for insurance... However... if he makes the 26 man roster and that can't be discounted. He will probably platoon with Clemens (Or Julien). This puts Bell at DH.

If Bell is the DH.

Larnach or Wallner will need to be traded because the DH spot is spoken for. When you consider that Bell and Larnach are almost the same statistically. We don't gain anything other than what we pick up in a trade... which is something I guess.

We will have also used up 3 limited roster spots for 1B capable players... plus whatever sub-par SS that needs to be on the roster because you have to have a player who can play some decent SS because Brooks Lee is the only current Twin capable of playing SS. That adds up to 5 roster spots to handle DH, 1B and SS (Bell, (Clemens or Julien). Wagaman, Lee and Sub Par SS guy. Throw in two Catchers for 7 roster spots, Lewis and Keaschall to round out the IF and you are at 9. 

That leaves 4 spots for OF and 6 legitimate considerations for those 4 spots forcing the trade of Larnach or Wallner.   

 

[Riverbrian]

36 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

I'm actually going to predict that Culpepper is up before the end of May.

Not necessarily because he should be, but because I think the primary goal of the new ownership groups is (to make as much money as possible obviously, but to do that, they need) to bring the fans back. They aren't spending money on big name free agents, so I think they'll bring up the young top prospects and cross their fingers that a couple turn into household names.

So they'll give most of us what we want as a bribe to watch and go to games. And lucky for them, this bribe costs them nothing but an arbitration year that this ownership group is never likely to have to deal with.

I hope your prediction is true because if it was my decision. I'd be flooding the roster with youth just to let the success/failure ratio fill some holes so there are less holes the following off-season. I would have rather they traded Joe Ryan or Ryan Jeffers for a young MLB ready SS but... Well... the Twins ain't gonna do that.  

With the direction they are going... I just don't see that happening. 

If Culpepper is legit. He needs time to make a loud statement in St. Paul and a month isn't enough time to make that statement. A statement loud enough that says it's OK to start his clock early... The Twins would also need to not look like a complete mess in April. Same thing goes for Walker Jenkins who we all assume is legit.

There are future consequence for starting clocks early when they don't have to be rostered until Dec 2027.

The consequences are that they reach free agency quicker. Starting the clock early on players who have a legit chance of being special... and doing so in a season that they are not playing for anything... is just another huge development mistake. Another example of the Twins burning development just to get through a season. And if the season doesn't mean anything... we will end up paying that bill in 2031 when Jenkins is a year from free agency at age 27 and the pundits are predicating it will take 12 years and 50 million AAV to sign with the Mets.   

So I see the main conditions for a Culpepper or Jenkins call up.

1. Jaw dropping success at AAA    

2. A team winning enough games that they need them to compete. 

In the meantime. The Twins need to focus on the Pre-Arb players who are on the 40 man. Find out if they have anything to help us moving forward. Those players may not be Jenkins type talent but maybe they have enough talent that we don't have to sign anymore Josh Bell type players. 

[nicksaviking]

27 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

The consequences are that they reach free agency quicker. Starting the clock early on players who have a legit chance of being special... and doing so in a season that they are not playing for anything... is just another huge development mistake. Another example of the Twins burning development just to get through a season. And if the season doesn't mean anything... we will end up paying that bill in 2031 when Jenkins is a year from free agency at age 27 and the pundits are predicating it will take 12 years and 50 million AAV to sign with the Mets.   

 

But this ownership group is unlikely to have to worry about those consequences. If burning an arbitration year for the next owners gets them more fan revenue this year, they wouldn't think twice. Joe Pohlad didn't get canned because the Twins were losing games, he got canned because they were losing fans. Therefore, bringing them back is almost certainly the plan to make more money. And without increasing the payroll, I don't see how they hope to achieve that goal other than creating draws from their young in-house talent.