Ryan

Fitzgerald

Fitzgerald clears waivers his second time through, as no front office decided it was worth sticking it to the Dodgers by stealing him away. He’ll be in camp as a non-roster player, though it would probably take a couple of injuries in front of him for him to make the team.

Fitzgerald was just claimed from the Twins on Friday. That he made it all of the way to the Dodgers on waivers the first time around suggests that he’ll probably clear this time, unless maybe some other team wants him after taking note of the Dodgers’ interest.

The versatile 31-year-old infielder broke through to the big leagues for the first time in 2025, slashing .196/.302/.457 with four homers and an 8/7 K/BB ratio in 53 plate appearances. He’ll add infield depth for the Dodgers in the upper minors.

The 31-year-old Fitzgerald hit .196/.302/.457 with four homers and just eight strikeouts in 53 plate appearances in his major league debut, but that wasn’t enough to keep him on the 40-man. Given his age, there’s a good chance he’ll clear waivers, and he could stick around as a non-roster player in camp.

The 31-year-old infielder pulverized a 2-0 fastball from Max Lazar for a 413-foot (105.8 mph EV) solo shot in the seventh inning that extended the Twins’ lead to 4-0. That would be his only hit in three at-bats on the night, though he also drew a walk. Despite the poor batting average, Fitzgerald has actually done a nice job during his time with the Twins, slashing .209/.306/.488 with four homers, nine RBI and a 7/6 K/BB ratio in 49 plate appearances.

The switch-hitting shortstop will get a breather after starting each of the team’s previous 11 games. Ryan Fitzgerald will start in his place at shortstop and will bat ninth against Yankees’ left-hander Carlos Rodon.

As a 22-year-old Senior at Creighton in 2016, Fitzgerald hit .230/.289/.321 in 239 plate appearances. He went undrafted, of course, but the Red Sox saw something they liked from him indy ball the following year, and he eventually worked his way up to Triple-A in the organization. It looked like he might top out there, but he was called up nine days ago by the Twins to make his major league debut, and now he has a big-league homer, coming in just his fourth at-bat. It’s unlikely that he’ll play regularly for the Twins as a 31-year-old rookie, but he just might be able to stick around the league as a utilityman for a couple of years.

Fitzgerald is one of eight new Twins added to the roster Friday. He should see time at shortstop and second base, but not enough — and not effectively enough — to suggest a fantasy addition is warranted.

Fitzgerald gets booted from the active roster, and the Twins are expected to fill that roster spot with Carlos Correa (head) coming off the seven-day concussion injured list. Fitzgerald will likely be back as a bench option at some point.

The 30-year-old infielder will add some infield depth for the Twins while Carlos Correa (concussion) is sidelined. Fitzgerald was off to a terrific start at the Triple-A level, slashing .328/.426/.528 with four homers, 21 RBI, three swipes and a 29/19 K/BB ratio through his first 35 games.