The Dodgers on Monday claimed Christian Cairo off waivers from the New York Mets, a week after the utility player was designated for assignment.
Cairo played all last season in Triple-A, 128 games with Lehigh Valley in the Philadelphia Phillies system and two games with Norfolk in the Mets system after New York claimed him off waivers in September. Cairo hit .230/.381/.300 with a 95 wRC+ last season in the minors with 92 walks against 76 strikeouts in his 413 plate appearances, plus 25 stolen bases
in 37 attempts.
The Mets designated Cairo for assignment last Monday amid various moves on the edges of the 40-man roster.
The bulk of Cairo’s time in the minors has come in the infield, with 160 starts at second base, 159 starts at third base, and 149 starts at shortstop, plus 54 starts in left field, 13 in center field, and four starts in right. It was more of the same in 2026, with 58 starts at shortstop, 26 at third base, 17 at second base, 16 in left field, and eight starts in center field.
Born in Bakersfield, Cairo was drafted by Cleveland in the fourth round in 2019, and played six seasons in the Guardians’ system before signing with the Phillies as a minor league free agent last offseason. Cairo exercised an upward-mobility clause in his contract and was added to Philadelphia’s 40-man roster before opening day, but was optioned to the minors and has yet to play in the majors.
Cairo, who turns 26 in June, has two option years remaining. He’s the son of longtime major league infielder Miguel Cairo.
With this move, the Dodgers have 38 players on their 40-man roster, including 17 position players.
