Dodgers Sold Ryan Ward to Chunichi Dragons
The 28-year-old outfielder has departed the Los Angeles organization to play in the Nippon Professional Baseball league.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Baseball
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The Los Angeles Dodgers have sold the contract of 28-year-old outfielder Ryan Ward to the Chunichi Dragons. Ward will continue his professional baseball career in Japan after struggling to secure consistent playing time in Los Angeles.
Why it matters
The move allows Ward to pursue regular playing time in Japan following a stint with the Dodgers where he was limited to 20 total appearances. The Dodgers organization opted to finalize the sale as they lacked a clear path for Ward on the major league roster.
Ward recorded a .218 batting average across 55 at-bats in his 2026 MLB debut season, totaling 12 RBI. He previously demonstrated significant power in the minor leagues, hitting 36 home runs in 2025 and 33 in 2024.
The players
Ryan Ward
He is a 28-year-old outfielder who was drafted out of Bryant University in 2019.
Los Angeles Dodgers
They are a professional Major League Baseball franchise based in Los Angeles.
Chunichi Dragons
They are a professional baseball team that competes in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball league.
The details
Ward was originally selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers as an eighth-round draft pick out of Bryant University in 2019. Despite his track record of 168 career minor league home runs, he played only 20 games at the major league level before the transfer.
Timeline
• Ward was selected in the eighth round of the MLB draft in 2019.
• He hit 33 home runs for Triple-A Oklahoma City in 2024.
• He hit 36 home runs for Triple-A Oklahoma City in 2025.
• News of the contract sale to the Chunichi Dragons emerged on Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This move highlights the ongoing movement of talent between MLB organizations and the Nippon Professional Baseball league. It clears roster space for the Dodgers while giving Ward a chance to refine his performance in a new competitive environment.
The departure of Ward removes a depth option from the Dodgers' outfield rotation for future roster considerations. Fantasy managers should note his removal from the Los Angeles depth chart as he transitions to the NPB league.
The takeaway
Players who struggle to find consistent at-bats in the major leagues often look to international professional leagues to revitalize their careers. This move serves as a reminder that professional development pathways frequently extend beyond North American borders.
Further reading
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Do you think moving to an international league is the best career path for minor leaguers?
