Dodgers Designate Veteran Lefty for Assignment
The Los Angeles Dodgers designated left-handed reliever Anthony Banda for assignment Friday, clearing a 40-man roster spot to reclaim catcher Ben Rortvedt off waivers. The move marks an unexpected split with the 32-year-old pitcher who helped anchor the bullpen during back-to-back World Series championship campaigns.
Banda, who was tendered a $1.625 million contract in January, had been a serviceable member of the Dodgers’ relief corps since arriving in May 2024. Over the past two seasons, he posted a 3.14 ERA across 114â…” innings while striking out 111 batters.
Strong Regular Season, Postseason Struggles
Despite solid regular-season performance, Banda’s value diminished after a rough 2025 postseason showing. He allowed six earned runs in 5â…” innings during the World Series against Toronto, contributing to the Dodgers’ struggles in that series. His underlying metrics also raised concerns, with his strikeout rate dropping to 22.8% while his walk rate climbed to 12.7% in 2025.
The Dodgers have deeper lefty options moving forward, including Tanner Scott and Alex Vesia, who are expected to return from injuries and personal matters respectively. Younger relievers like Jack Dreyer and Justin Wrobleski have also shown promise in the organization’s pipeline.
Multiple Suitors Circle Available Reliever
With spring training set to begin next week, several MLB organizations are expected to pursue Banda. The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees have been mentioned as potential landing spots, as both clubs seek bullpen reinforcement heading into the 2026 season.
For interested teams, acquiring Banda represents a low-risk opportunity. His $1.625 million salary is relatively modest, and any claiming club would gain a pitcher with two years of postseason experience, despite recent struggles.
Banda spent time with seven different organizations before his 2024 breakthrough with the Dodgers, posting a 5.69 ERA across those stints. His resurgence in Los Angeles proved his ability to find success later in his career, making him an intriguing option for teams needing late-inning depth.
