Dodgers Release Tyler Fitzgerald, Clearing Path for Edman Return

The Los Angeles Dodgers have released infielder Tyler Fitzgerald, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Fitzgerald was placed on the minor league injured list earlier this month and will now become a free agent once he clears waivers. The move allows the Dodgers to free up space on their 40-man roster as Tommy Edman returns from a rehab assignment on the 60-day injured list.

Fitzgerald's career has been a rollercoaster of promise and inconsistency. In 2024 with the San Francisco Giants, he hit 15 home runs in 341 plate appearances and produced a .280/.334/.497 slash line with a 132 wRC+. His versatility across the infield and outfield made him an intriguing utility option. However, his .380 BABIP masked a 31.7% strikeout rate, raising concerns about long-term sustainability.

Those concerns became reality in 2025. Fitzgerald struggled mightily, finishing with a .217/.278/.327 line and a 72 wRC+. His performance was so poor that he spent much of the second half on optional assignment in the minors. In Triple-A, he hit .246/.321/.379 for an 84 wRC+ over the season, failing to prove he could contribute at the major league level.

The Giants carried Fitzgerald through the offseason but designated him for assignment in late March. He was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for cash and spent time in the minors before being designated again in June. The Blue Jays sent him to the Dodgers in a second cash deal, where he hit .293/.400/.598 in 24 games for Triple-A Oklahoma City before his season was cut short by injury.

The injury details remain undisclosed, but his absence has now led to his release. With Edman on a rehab assignment and expected to return to the 40-man roster, the Dodgers made a pragmatic move to clear space. Fitzgerald’s 2024 production, combined with his recent Triple-A performance, makes him a potential target for another club looking for a versatile, low-risk option.

Fitzgerald will now enter the free agent market and could land with a team in need of depth. His injury status will play a key role in how quickly he finds a new home. Teams may be willing to take a flier on his upside if they believe he is healthy and can contribute in the short term.

The Dodgers now have more flexibility as they prepare for the stretch run. Fitzgerald's release is the latest roster adjustment in a season full of them.