Dodgers send Jack Suwinski outright to minors

The Dodgers on Monday sent Jack Suwinski outright to the minors and off the 40-man roster after the outfielder cleared waivers.

Suwinski was claimed off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates on February 21. He hasn’t yet played in a Cactus League game, but was getting work in on the backfields at Camelback Ranch. On Friday, Suwinski was among the group of hitters who faced Emmet Sheehan in a simulated game, which was captured on video by the fine folks at Dodger Blue.

It’s not all that surprising that the Dodgers would try to get Suwinski through waivers, as he was below replacement level the last two seasons, hitting a combined .169/.271/.297 with a 59 wRC+ in 455 plate appearances in 2024-25 after a strong first two years with the Pirates, and he’s out of options.

That roster gambit didn’t work with catcher Ben Rortvedt (twice duringthis offseason) nor infielder Andy Ibáñez, both of whom were claimed. That Suwinski got to the Dodgers, who are 26th in waiver priority for now based on last year’s records, in the first place made it unsurprising that he cleared waivers this time around.

Now, Suwinski remains in the organization as outfield depth, and leaves 39 players on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster. There’s no real urgency yet to fill that spot, but it removes an extra burden should an opportunity arise. Like if Rortvedt inevitably becomes available yet again, or if someone like non-roster invitees Santiago Espinalor Cole Irvin play their way onto the roster over the next three weeks.