The Los Angeles Dodgers optioned River Ryan and reassigned Ryan Fitzgerald to Minor League camp as they continue to trim their roster to 26 players for Opening Day.
Their roster now stands at 40 players, giving them 14 more cuts to go before March 26. They currently have 21 pitchers and 19 position players, and they need 13 of each — not including Shohei Ohtani as a pitcher.
Ryan has impressed in Spring Training, but was fighting an uphill battle to make the Dodgers Opening Day rotation. That group includes Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Shohei Ohtani, Roki Sasaki, and Emmet Sheehan, while Justin Wrobleski should serve as the sixth starter when needed.
Ryan spent last year recovering from Tommy John surgery, but entered camp without any restrictions. Still, the Dodgers were trying to determine his workload for the season and likely opted to save some of his innings by limiting him early.
The 27-year-old has also not pitched much in the last year, so it gives him the opportunity to get more work and continue getting ready to make an impact when they need him.
Fitzgerald was claimed off waivers in January, but was outrighted to Triple-A. He was still invited to Spring Training after clearing waivers, and he has seen plenty of playing time.
Fitzgerald made his MLB debut with the Twins last year, appearing in 24 games and hitting .196/.302/.457 with four home runs and nine RBI. While with Triple-A St. Paul, he batted .277/.367/.469 with 16 doubles, seven home runs and 31 RBI.
The 31-year-old has experience playing all four infield spots and all three outfield positions. The bulk of Fitzgerald’s time in the Minors has come as a shortstop.
He figures to get an opportunity sometime this year if the Dodgers need a bench bat.
Kyle Hurt optioned
Earlier today, the Dodgers also optioned Kyle Hurt to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Hurt pitched 7.1 innings in Cactus League play while striking out 12 hitters and walking just two. Hurt also allowed three runs on six hits, giving him a 3.68 ERA and 1.09 WHIP.
The right-hander spent most of the previous two seasons recovering from Tommy John surgery he underwent in July 2024. Hurt made it back on the mound at the end of last season and posted solid results on his rehab assignment.
He was viewed as a potential option to begin the season with the Dodgers, but he was optioned to continue getting more work after throwing so few innings over the last two years.
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