The Los Angeles Dodgers made a series of roster moves on Thursday, which included exercising team options on Max Muncy and Alex Vesia for the 2026 season.
The Dodgers additionally added Ryan Ward and Robinson Ortiz to their 40-man roster. In order to make room for the activity, Justin Dean and Michael Grove were outrighted to Triple-A Oklahoma City, and Tony Gonsolin was designated for assignment.
Because Grove has more than three years of Major League service time, he will have the option to reject the Minor League assignment in favor of becoming a free agent. Grove spent the entire 2025 season on the 60-day injured list after undergoing right shoulder surgery in March.
Grove has pitched to a 5.48 ERA and 4.35 FIP in 64 games (20 starts) over parts of three seasons with the Dodgers. He was developed as a starting pitcher but embraced a swingman role, if not being an outright reliever.
Giants claim Justin Dean
Dean was removed from the Dodgers’ 40-man roster after being with the team for their World Series run. Dean made his MLB debut this season and appeared in 18 games during the regular season, then 13 more in the playoffs. He logged just three at-bats in those 31 games.
“Great teammate, really good self evaluator. Obviously wants to be a guy, wants to be in there, but you understand your role on the team, and you try to make the most of it when your number’s called,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Dean during the World Series.
“He’s a plus, plus-defender out in center field, he can steal a base, and he’s good on the team. And so those guys, in the postseason, you need kind of have your horses, but you also have to have the guys on periphery that are good teammates and kind of keep that mojo going and Justin does just that.”
Dean was claimed off waivers by the San Francisco Giants.
Tony Gonsolin DFA
Gonsolin made just seven starts before undergoing season-ending right elbow injury that included an internal brace and flexor tendon repair. The recovery timeline is estimated to be eight to 10 months.
Gonsolin previously missed the entire 2024 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.
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