Dodgers To Claim Jack Suwinski — dodgers Claim Former Pirates Outfielder
The dodgers have claimed outfielder Jack Suwinski off waivers, a move that was announced after a pair of roster transactions and leaves the 27-year-old leaving Pittsburgh. The claim follows a sequence of moves that began when the Pirates designated Suwinski for assignment to clear a 40-man roster spot.
Dodgers roster move
At 1: 24PM the page of the transaction noted that the Dodgers were claiming Jack Suwinski off waivers; by 3: 23PM the claim was officially announced by the Dodgers and the corresponding roster move placed Enrique Hernandez on the 60-day injured list. Hernandez underwent surgery in November to repair a torn muscle in his non-throwing arm and it was already known he would be missing at least the first couple of months of the 2026 season.
Suwinski's recent numbers
The 27-year-old has struggled over the past two years after a breakout 2023 campaign. In his most recent big-league season he compiled just a 55 wRC+ in 178 MLB plate appearances. He also spent time in Triple-A last season, totaling 56 games at that level while tallying 59 games with the Pirates. In the minors he produced a 150 wRC+.
Career production and peripherals
Suwinski’s strong 2023 line included a. 224 average with 26 home runs and 74 RBIs, plus 13 steals, but that season came with a 32% strikeout rate. His rookie year produced 19 home runs in 372 plate appearances and a 30. 6% strikeout rate. Across his big-league career he has walked at a 12. 3% rate. More recently he hit. 182 with nine home runs in 2024 and last season hit. 147 with three home runs. He has also accumulated -16 Defensive Runs Saved in his career as a center fielder.
Why Pittsburgh cut him
Pittsburgh had signed Suwinski to a one-year, $1. 25 million deal this offseason to avoid arbitration but then designated him for assignment after adding Marcell Ozuna, a move that opened the 40-man roster spot. The Ozuna addition effectively locked up the DH role. The Pirates also added outfielders Jhostynxon Garcia and Jake Mangum in separate trades this offseason, and the team signed Ryan O’Hearn in free agency, creating multiple paths that limited Suwinski’s opportunity in Pittsburgh.
Outfield competition in Los Angeles
The Dodgers enter the arrangement with Teoscar Hernandez, Andy Pages and Kyle Tucker locked into everyday roles in the outfield. Pages is a right-handed player who has been much better against left-handed pitching in his career, posting a. 831 OPS versus lefties and a. 722 OPS versus righties, which raises the possibility of platoon considerations. Suwinski’s defensive metrics suggest he is unlikely to fit as a center fielder, and his best immediate path to an active roster spot is pushing Alex Call for a fourth outfielder role.
Fan reactions and commentary
Public reaction included predictions that Suwinski’s strikeout totals and a batting average near the Mendoza line will be notable storylines. Some commenters suggested the Dodgers are one of a few teams that can help a struggling player rebound, naming other clubs as well. Others argued that if Suwinski cannot pair home runs and walks with fewer strikeouts he will not receive enough playing time. Several voices noted it was easier to pitch around him in Pittsburgh’s lineup and that he might see more hittable pitches in Los Angeles; one commenter, misspelling his name, claimed there was "no pitching. "
Robert Murray wrote that the Dodgers have claimed Jack Suwinski off waivers; the claim follows the Pirates placing him on waivers after the Ozuna signing and the team’s earlier arbitration-avoidance contract with Suwinski. The 27-year-old will join the Dodgers with the goal of rebuilding value and attempting to crack the Opening Day lineup of the back-to-back World Series champions.
Pittsburgh will open its 2026 season on March 26 against the New York Mets.
Photo credit: Charles LeClaire, Imagn Images
Closing: The Dodgers’ acquisition of Jack Suwinski completes a brief waiver sequence that began with Pittsburgh’s designation for assignment to clear a roster spot for Marcell Ozuna and was followed by a corresponding move that placed Enrique Hernandez on the 60-day injured list after November surgery to repair a torn muscle in his non-throwing arm; Suwinski arrives in Los Angeles as a 27-year-old with mixed recent results and a chance to rebuild in a new organization.
