The Los Angeles Dodgers bolstered their infield depth Friday afternoon by signing veteran Andy Ibáñez to a one-year deal, league sources confirmed to The Athletic, and claiming Ryan Fitzgerald off waivers from the Minnesota Twins. The two additions give the Dodgers ample options around the infield as spring training nears.

Ibáñez, 32, hit .239 with a .653 OPS in 91 games for the Detroit Tigers last year and was non-tendered in November. Fitzgerald, 31, debuted last season with the Twins and hit .196/.302/.457 with four homers in 24 games. Fitzgerald was added to the Dodgers’ 40-man roster, which now stands full. A corresponding roster move will be needed for Ibáñez’s signing to be official.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have claimed IF/OF Ryan Fitzgerald from the Minnesota Twins.

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) January 9, 2026

Bringing in both Ibáñez and Fitzgerald gives the Dodgers plenty of middle infield insurance. Tommy Edman is slated for a delayed start to spring training as he recovers from offseason ankle surgery. Given Edman’s status, building up depth that the club was lacking in Triple-A became an area of importance.

There is a scenario where Edman starts the season on the injured list. While the team is optimistic he won’t miss much time, adding more depth allows the Dodgers to err on the side of caution. The left side of the infield is solid, with Mookie Betts returning at shortstop and Max Muncy at third base. If Edman is unable to start the season, the Dodgers now have plenty of options.

Ibáñez can play both second and third base, and Fitzgerald can play both middle infield positions, along with third base and the outfield. Hyeseong Kim is also an option at both second base and shortstop. Miguel Rojas, who re-signed with Los Angeles on a one-year deal in December, could also see time at second. There is some positional redundancy, especially considering the number of right-handed hitters on the roster, and the Dodgers could use that as a way to open the door for other offseason moves. Or the club could simply retain as much depth as possible and make roster decisions throughout the course of the spring. Ibáñez is out of minor-league options, but Fitzgerald has two option years.

The Dodgers also remain interested in bringing back utility man Kiké Hernández, who underwent left elbow surgery in November, putting his availability for Opening Day in jeopardy. The Dodgers will likely wait to pursue a reunion with Hernández once there is better clarity regarding his recovery timeline. For now, Fitzgerald and Ibáñez best represent surplus options as the Dodgers wait out Edman’s health.

Andy Ibañez’s one-year deal with the Dodgers, which sources confirmed to @katiejwoo and I, certainly gives the Dodgers some infield insurance — important, given: