The Dodgers added some infield depth on Friday by claiming Ryan Fitzgerald from the Minnesota Twins. He was designated for assignment by the Twins on January 2 when Minnesota traded for first baseman Eric Wagaman.
Fitzgerald after seven seasons in the minors made his major league debut for the Twins, playing in 24 games, including starts at shortstop, third base, and second base plus time at first base as well. At the plate with Minnesota he had nine hits in 46 at-bats with four home runs and seven walks,
hitting .196/.302/.457. Fitzgerald turns 32 in June.
A non-drafted free agent signed by the Red Sox in 2018, Fitzgerald worked his way up to Triple-A in Boston’s system but shifted to the Royals after being claimed in the minor league portion of the 2023 Rule 5 Draft. He reached minor league free agency after 2024 and signed a minor league deal with the Twins last January.
With Triple-A St. Paul in 2025, Fitzgerald hit .277/.367/.469 with a 119 wRC+ and 25 extra-base hits in 59 games, his season interrupted by separate injured-list stints for a right ankle sprain and right hamstring strain.
Fitzgerald primarily played shortstop in Triple-A last season, but has played all over, including splitting time between second base, third base, and shortstop in 2024 with Triple-A Omaha in the Royals system. In his seven years in the minors, Fitzgerald has started games at every position except catcher and pitcher. He has 65 days of major league service time and two option years remaining. having used an option
By claiming Fitzgerald, the Dodgers’ 40-man roster is now full. He takes the slot opened up when Esteury Ruiz was traded to the Marlins on December 30.
