LOS ANGELES — The DFA train never stops.
The Dodgers claimed outfielder Michael Siani on waivers from the New York Yankees on Tuesday. The Yankees designated Siani for assignment just days after claiming him on waivers from the Dodgers – who designated him for assignment after adding free-agent outfielder Kyle Tucker to their 40-man roster.
It’s nothing new for Siani. Since finishing the 2025 season with the St. Louis Cardinals’ Triple-A team, the left-handed outfielder known more for defense than his bat has been waived by the Cardinals, claimed by the Atlanta Braves, waived by the Braves, claimed by the Dodgers, waived by the Dodgers, claimed by the Yankees, waived by the Yankees and now re-claimed by the Dodgers.
In order to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Siani, the Dodgers designated veteran infielder Andy Ibañez for assignment. The move comes less than a month after the Dodgers signed Ibañez to a one-year, $1.2 million contract as a free agent, seeming to fill a bench role with Kiké Hernandez an unsigned free agent recovering from elbow surgery following last year’s World Series. Hernandez is not expected to be ready to play until midseason and could re-sign with the Dodgers at a later date when he could be moved to the 60-day injured list.
The DFA maneuver might not signal the end of Ibañez’s time with the Dodgers, however. The team could be gambling on the 32-year-old Ibañez’s contract and his lack of options (he cannot be sent to the minor leagues this season without passing through waivers) deterring teams from claiming him on waivers.
The Dodgers tried the same maneuver with backup catcher Ben Rortvedt in November, designating him for assignment shortly after signing him to a one-year, $1.25 million contract in his first year of arbitration eligibility. The Cincinnati Reds claimed Rortvedt on waivers but designated him for assignment on Tuesday in order to clear a roster spot for their free-agent signing of third baseman Eugenio Suarez.
Like Ibañez, Rortvedt is also out of options this year. If one or the other clears waivers, Rortvedt or Ibañez could refuse an assignment to the minor leagues and become a free agent – but they would forfeit their current salaries.
PITCHING DEPTH
The Dodgers have signed two pitchers with major-league experience to minor-league contracts with non-roster invitations to spring training – Ryder Ryan and Cole Irvin.
Ryan, 30, is the older brother of Dodgers pitching prospect River Ryan. River Ryan is returning from Tommy John surgery and could vie for a spot in the Dodgers’ starting rotation. Ryder Ryan made 15 appearances out of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ bullpen last season with a 5.66 ERA and could provide depth for the Dodgers’ bullpen.
Irvin, meanwhile, spent last season playing in South Korea where he went 8-12 with a 4.48 ERA in 28 starts for the Doosan Bears. The 32-year left-hander and former Servite High standout was drafted out of the University of Oregon by the Philadelphia Phillies and spent time with the Phillies, Minnesota Twins, Baltimore Orioles and Oakland A’s from 2019-24. In 134 major-league games (93 starts), he was 28-40 with a 4.54 ERA.
