Buddy Kennedy was this year’s Taylor Trammell, as he played for both 2025 World Series teams, the Dodgers and Blue Jays. Just like last year, when Trammell started the year in the Mariners system and then
played for the Dodgers and Yankees.
Kennedy in 2025 started the season with the Phillies, then found his way to the Blue Jays, splitting time between Triple-A and the majors in both categories. Toronto designated the 26-year-old infielder and sometimes outfielder for assignment on August 12.
The Dodgers at this time had Tommy Edman (right ankle sprain) and Kiké Hernández (left elbow inflammation) already on the injured list. On August 13, Max Muncy was scratched from the lineup with a right oblique strain, further depleting the team’s infield depth. He was placed on the injured list two days later for the next game, and the Dodgers pounced when Kennedy was placed on waivers by Toronto.
This wasn’t an exact replica of Nick Ahmed in 2024, when the Dodgers needed a shortstop and signed the veteran as a plug-and-play starter. Kennedy was a mini-version, as he didn’t play in his first two games active, but then started six of the next seven games at third base.
Kennedy’s first game for Los Angeles was on August 17, which made him the 2,000th player in Dodgers franchise history. I told him about this fact in the locker room after the game, and he kind of nodded.
“I’m just happy to get a game under my belt,” Kennedy said.
Kennedy drove in a run with a single on August 19 at Coors Field, but that was his only hit in 17 at-bats with the Dodgers. He ended up with the same number of hits for the Dodgers as against them, with a double off Blake Snell for the Blue Jays on August 9 at Dodger Stadium.
Kennedy’s time with the Dodgers was short-lived, as Hernández was activated off the injured list on August 25 and Kennedy was designated for assignment.
After declining an assignment to the minors with the Dodgers, Kennedy elected free agency and signed back with the Blue Jays to finish out the season in Triple-A Buffalo.
2025 stats
Age: 26
Stats: 1 for 17 with Dodgers, 2 for 29 overall with Dodgers, Phillies, Blue Jays
Salary: unknown
Game of the year
Against the Rockies on August 19, Kennedy singled to just behind second base off Austin Gomber, driving in Alex Call to widen the Dodgers lead to 7-0 in the third inning.
The Dodgers won that game, 11-4.
Roster status
Kennedy is in the minors with the Blue Jays, not on the 40-man roster.
