The Dodgers have 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 space traded is not yet known, but according to the rules, teams can trade space in increments of $250,000, unless they trade all remaining bonus space.
Band was designated for a mission on Friday when the Dodgers claimed catcher Ben Rortvedt off waivers, a product of a crowded bullpen depth chart this also includes fellow lefties Alex Vesia, Tanner Scott, Jack Dreyer and possibly Justin Wrobleski.
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Acquired in a minor league trade from the Guardians during the 2024 season, Banda posted 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 hitters to hitting just .182/.259/.261 with a 26.1 percent strikeout rate.
Banda was a reliable workhorse during his two years in the Dodgers bullpen. He didn’t join the team in 2024 until May 19, but from then until the end of 2025, Banda led the Dodgers in appearing in 119 games, four more than Alex Vesia and tied for 15th in baseball during that span. Banda also appeared in 17 of the Dodgers’ 33 playoff games over the past two years.
“The way I see it, whoever’s in the bullpen, no matter what their name is, is going to be ready to take on whatever they have to do. That’s the kind of environment they’ve created there.” Banda said end of 2024. “I focus on feeling good every day, being ready, and if my number is called, then I go out and do my job and I’m 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 in his 12th major league organization with the Twins.
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With four years and 135 days of major league service, Banda was eligible for salary arbitration for the second time this offseason. He avoided a hearing in January with a one-year contract worth $1.625 million.
