Even for a franchise coming off the high of consecutive championship parades, the business of Major League Baseball remains cold and calculated. On Friday, the Los Angeles Dodgers officially moved to designate Anthony Banda for assignment, a transaction that signals the end—at least for now—of a highly successful tenure for one of the team’s most reliable bullpen arms over the last two seasons.
The decision to designate Anthony Banda for assignment comes as the corresponding move to the Dodgers claiming catcher Ben Rortvedt off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds. While roster churning is common in the weeks leading up to Spring Training, the departure of a pitcher who contributed significantly to the 2024 and 2025 World Series titles has caught many fans and analysts by surprise given his reliability in the middle innings.
The Corresponding Move: Ben Rortvedt Returns to Los Angeles
The primary driver behind Friday's roster shakeup was the opportunity to bring back a familiar face in Ben Rortvedt. The 28-year-old catcher returns to the organization after a brief stint with the Reds. Rortvedt originally joined the Dodgers via trade late in the 2024 season and played a pivotal role as a defensive specialist and emergency starter when the catching depth was tested by injuries.
Rortvedt, who earned high marks for his game-calling and handling of the pitching staff, had recently signed a $1.25 million contract for the 2026 season. After the Dodgers attempted to sneak him through waivers earlier this winter, he was claimed by Cincinnati. However, when the Reds signed Eugenio Suárez earlier this week, Rortvedt was designated for assignment himself, allowing the Dodgers to reclaim him. Because Rortvedt is out of minor league options, he must remain on the 40-man roster, necessitating a departure elsewhere.
Anthony Banda’s Championship Legacy with the Dodgers
Since joining the organization in May 2024 after being acquired from the Cleveland Guardians for cash considerations, Anthony Banda transformed from a journeyman reliever into a high-leverage specialist. Over the course of 119 appearances in a Dodger uniform, Banda posted a stout 3.14 ERA and an 8-3 record, becoming a fixture in Dave Roberts' bullpen.
2024: A Postseason Revelation
In 2024, Banda was a revelation for a Dodgers team that desperately needed left-handed stability. He pitched 49 2/3 innings with a 3.08 ERA and a 23.9% strikeout rate during the regular season. However, it was the postseason where he truly made his mark. Banda allowed just one run over 10 appearances in the 2024 playoffs, providing the bridge to the late innings that helped secure the first of the Dodgers' back-to-back titles.
2025: Workhorse Reliability
In 2025, Banda remained a workhorse, leading the team with 71 appearances and maintaining a 3.18 ERA during the regular season. He was often called upon to face the heart of opposing lineups, proving his worth as a versatile southpaw. While his 2025 World Series performance against the Toronto Blue Jays was rocky—surrendering six runs in three innings—his overall body of work over two years established him as a key piece of the championship core.
The Roster Crunch: Why the Dodgers Moved On
The decision to move on from Banda was largely a product of a crowded 40-man roster and a surplus of left-handed relief options. As the Dodgers look toward a potential three-peat in 2026, the front office prioritized defensive depth behind the plate over a veteran reliever with declining peripheral stats.
Left-Handed Depth Competition
Before Friday’s move, the Dodgers had an abundance of lefties vying for bullpen spots. The roster currently features high-leverage arms like Tanner Scott and Alex Vesia, alongside emerging talents such as Jack Dreyer, Ronan Kopp, and Justin Wrobleski. With Scott and Vesia locked into late-inning roles and younger, cheaper options showing promise, Banda became the victim of a numbers game.
Regression and Advanced Metrics
Furthermore, advanced metrics from the 2025 season suggested that Banda might be due for a regression. Despite his respectable 3.18 ERA, his FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) sat at 4.52, and his walk rate jumped from 8.6% in 2024 to 12.7% in 2025. Combined with a $1.625 million salary for the upcoming season and a lack of minor league options, the front office clearly felt that the roster spot was better utilized for catching depth given the volatility of relief pitching.
What is Next for Anthony Banda?
Now that he has been designated for assignment, the Dodgers have seven days to trade Banda or place him on irrevocable waivers. Given his track record of success and his relatively affordable contract, it is highly likely that another MLB club will claim him to bolster their middle relief.
If Banda clears waivers, the Dodgers could potentially outright him to Triple-A Oklahoma City, though as a veteran with more than three years of service time, he would have the right to elect free agency. For now, the move marks a significant transition for the Dodgers' bullpen as they prepare for the 2026 campaign. Key takeaways from Banda's tenure include:
- Two World Series Championships (2024, 2025)
- 119 total appearances for Los Angeles
- A career-best 3.14 ERA during his time in Blue
- A 1.13 WHIP across two seasons
Sources & Original Reporting
