Anthony

Banda

It’s merely a procedural move to create a spot on Minnesota’s 40-man roster after Banda underwent season-ending lat surgery earlier this week. The 32-year-old southpaw reliever should be a full-go for spring training.

Banda finishes with a 4.46 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, and 33/15 K/BB ratio in 34 1/3 innings for the Twins. 33 in August, Banda said he expects to be available for spring training. The Twins have arbitration rights on Banda and can bring him back if they so choose.

There’s no timetable for Banda’s return at the moment. It could wind up being a lengthy absence since lat strains are usually multi-week absences in a best-case scenario The 32-year-old southpaw has recorded a pair of saves to accompany a respectable 4.46 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 33/15 K/BB ratio across 34 1/3 innings over 39 appearances in his Twins debut this season.

Yoendrys Gómez seems like the favorite for saves in Minnesota right now, but the Twins had him work the eighth today. Banda then retired Adrian Del Castillo, Tommy Troy and Ketel Marte in order in the ninth. It’s the fifth career save for the 32-year-old Banda; he had one for the Rays in 2020 and two for the Dodgers in 2024. Banda possesses a 4.22 ERA in 32 innings this season.

It’s the first save of the season for Banda, who was called upon to close out the game for the Twins, who are lacking a viable option in the ninth inning. Banda had a rough April, but has enjoyed a decent bounce back in May. Despite a 4.15 ERA on the month, Banda hasn’t allowed a run in his last six outings. If he continues to pitch well, it’s possible he earns another save opportunity the next time the Twins are in need of a ninth inning guy.

The 32-year-old southpaw had been designated for assignment by the Dodgers over the weekend, so they were willing to flip him for anything that they could get at this stage. Banda registered a 3.18 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and a 61/34 K/BB ratio over 65 innings as a key cog in the Dodgers’ bullpen during the 2025 season.

The Dodgers needed a roster spot for Ben Rortvedt, so they will hope that Banda’s $1.65 million contract prevents anybody from claiming him on waivers. Of course, that gamble didn’t pay off with Rortvedt earlier in the offseason. Banda posted a 3.18 ERA in 65 innings for Los Angeles last season.

That takes care of the Dodgers’ arbitration eligibles for 2026. Banda gets a $625,000 raise for his 3.18 ERA in 65 innings last season. Although he debuted back in 2017 with the Diamondbacks, he’s only at four-plus years of service time, meaning he’ll again be arbitration eligible in 2027.

As expected, Kershaw finds himself back in Los Angeles’ pitching plans to operate out of the bullpen to combat Philadelphia’s elite left sluggers Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper during the best-of-five series. Southpaw reliever Anthony Banda is also back on the roster as additional left-handed depth with Justin Wrobleski and Edgardo Hernandez left off.

Banda will attempt to neutralize the prominent left-handed sluggers atop Philadelphia’s lineup, most notably National League home run king Kyle Schwarber and generational talent Bryce Harper. He figures to be followed by Sheehan for a bulk relief outing.