Dodgers Re-Sign Tyler Fitzgerald to Minor League Deal
The Los Angeles Dodgers brought back infielder-outfielder Tyler Fitzgerald on a one-year Minor League contract after releasing him to open a 40-man roster spot.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Baseball
The Dodgers re-signed Tyler Fitzgerald to a one-year Minor League deal, three days after releasing him to open a spot on the 40-man roster. Fitzgerald was one of 13 Dodgers Minor League free agents this offseason, and catcher Ben Rortvedt elected free agency after opting out of his contract.
Why it matters
The move keeps a versatile utility player with Major League experience in the organization without committing a 40-man roster spot. It also reflects how the Dodgers are managing depth as Dalton Rushing recovers from elbow surgery.
Fitzgerald hit .280/.334/.497 with 15 home runs and a 132 wRC+ in 96 games in 2024, and his 2024 sprint speed of 30 feet per second ranked at the top of MLB. He did not appear in a Major League game during the 2026 season.
The players
Tyler Fitzgerald
Fitzgerald is an infielder and outfielder who has played every position on the field in his MLB career, previously with the San Francisco Giants.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers are a Major League Baseball club based in Los Angeles that won the World Series in 2024 and 2025.
Ben Rortvedt
Rortvedt is a catcher who had more than three years of MLB service time, which gave him the option to opt out of his contract and reach free agency.
The details
The Dodgers first acquired Fitzgerald from the Toronto Blue Jays on April 28 for cash considerations. Fitzgerald has played every infield and outfield position over his MLB career, and the team added Chuckie Robinson while Will Smith was placed on the injured list.
Timeline
April 28, 2026: Dodgers acquired Fitzgerald from the Toronto Blue Jays.
2026 season: Dodgers released Fitzgerald and re-signed him three days later.
Early offseason 2026-27: Ben Rortvedt opted out of his contract.
November 7, 2026: Dodgers re-signed Fitzgerald to a one-year Minor League deal.
Roadmap
Clubs routinely release and re-sign depth players to manage 40-man roster limits under MLB's roster rules. The Dodgers' handling of Fitzgerald follows that pattern of keeping flexible infielders and outfielders in the system without a Major League commitment.
Fitzgerald's Minor League status means he is not on the 40-man roster and would need a Major League call-up to play for the Dodgers. Fans tracking Dodgers depth can watch whether he receives a non-roster Spring Training invite.
The takeaway
Roster moves like this one show how teams keep flexible depth players available without using a 40-man spot. Watching minor league transactions can reveal how a club plans for injuries and roster turnover.
Further reading
Explore more Baseball coverage for context on Los Angeles roster moves.
