Dodgers Make a Roster Move That Might Surprise You, But Should It?
In a move that might seem a bit unexpected on the surface, the Los Angeles Dodgers have officially sent outfielder Jack Suwinski to the minor leagues. This decision came on Monday, March 3, 2026, after Suwinski cleared through the waiver process. He's no longer taking up a coveted spot on the team's 40-man roster.
So, who is Jack Suwinski and why is this happening?
Suwinski joined the Dodgers organization relatively recently, on February 21st, having been claimed off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates. While he hasn't yet made an appearance in any Cactus League games, he's been actively getting his work in on the practice fields at Camelback Ranch. In fact, just last Friday, he was part of a group of hitters who faced pitcher Emmet Sheehan in a simulated game, a moment that was even captured on video for fans to see!
But here's where it gets interesting...
It's not entirely shocking that the Dodgers opted to try and move Suwinski through waivers. The numbers from his recent performance paint a picture that might explain this decision. Over the past two seasons (2024-2025), Suwinski has been performing below what's considered 'replacement level.' He's posted a combined batting line of .169/.271/.297, with a 59 wRC+ (which essentially means he was producing runs at 59% of the league average) over 455 plate appearances. This is quite a dip from his strong start in his first two years with the Pirates. Adding to the complexity, he's out of options, meaning the Dodgers can't simply send him down without risking losing him.
And this is the part most people miss...
This isn't the first time the Dodgers have tried a similar roster maneuver this offseason. They attempted this with catcher Ben Rortvedt (on two separate occasions!) and infielder Andy Ibáñez, but both players were claimed by other teams. Given the Dodgers' current waiver priority ranking – they are 26th based on last year's standings – it's not that surprising that Suwinski successfully cleared waivers this time around. It suggests that other teams ahead of them in priority didn't see enough value to make a claim.
What does this mean for the Dodgers moving forward?
For now, Suwinski remains within the Dodgers' organization, providing some much-needed outfield depth. This move also leaves the Dodgers with 39 players on their 40-man roster. While there's no immediate rush to fill that vacant spot, it does create flexibility. This is particularly useful if opportunities arise, such as if Rortvedt becomes available again, or if non-roster invitees like Santiago Espinal or Cole Irvin perform well enough over the next three weeks to earn a spot on the main roster.
Now, let's talk about it!
Is it fair to judge a player solely on a couple of down seasons, especially when they've shown promise in the past? Or is this a smart, pragmatic move by the Dodgers to maintain roster flexibility? What are your thoughts on these kinds of roster maneuvers in baseball? Let us know in the comments below – we'd love to hear your perspective!
