The Dodgers found a new home for Anthony Banda, trading the veteran left-handed reliever to the Minnesota Twins on Thursday for international bonus pool space, the teams announced. The amount of bonus pool space traded isn’t yet known, but by rule teams can trade space in increments of $250,000 unless trading the entirety of its remaining bonus pool space.
Banda was designated for assignment on Friday when the Dodgers claimed catcher Ben Rortvedt off waivers, a product of a crowded bullpen depth chart that also includes fellow left-handers Alex Vesia, Tanner Scott, Jack Dreyer, and possibly Justin Wrobleski.
Advertisement
Acquired in a minor league trade from the Guardians in the 2024 season, Banda put up a 3.14 ERA and 3.46 xERA with 111 strikeouts and 40 unintentional walks in 114 2/3 innings. The southpaw held left-handed batters to hit just .182/.259/.261 with a 26.1-percent strikeout rate.
Banda was a reliable workhorse in his two years in the Dodgers bullpen. He didn’t join the team in 2024 until May 19, but from then through the end of 2025 Banda led the Dodgers by appearing in 119 games, four more than Alex Vesia and tied for 15th-most in baseball during that time. Banda also appeared in 17 of the Dodgers’ 33 postseason games over the last two years.
“The way I look at it is, whoever is in the bullpen, whoever’s name is called, they’re going to be ready to take on whatever they need to do. That’s kind of the environment they’ve created down there,” Banda said late in 2024. “I focus on feeling good every single day, being ready, and if my number is called, then just go out and do my job and be ready for the next day.”
Banda had the best two seasons of his career in Los Angeles. Now entering his 15th professional season, the 32-year-old is onto his 12th major league organization with the Twins.
Advertisement
With four years, 135 days of major league service time, Banda was eligible for salary arbitration for a second time this offseason. He avoided a hearing in January with a one-year deal worth $1.625 million.
