Overview
- The Dodgers activated left‑hander Kris Bubic and added him to both the 28‑man and 40‑man rosters on Wednesday while optioning righty Paul Gervase to Triple‑A and designating outfielder Ryan Ward for assignment.
- Bubic was acquired from the Kansas City Royals on Aug. 3 and completed a six‑appearance Triple‑A rehab, throwing 5.2 scoreless innings with nine strikeouts, which prompted the Dodgers to return him to the big‑league roster.
- Ward, the 2025 Pacific Coast League MVP who led all minor leaguers with 36 homers and 122 RBIs, made his MLB debut this season but hit .218/.283/.455 in 60 plate appearances, and positional overlap with rising prospect Josue De Paula contributed to the DFA decision.
- The Dodgers plan to use Bubic out of the bullpen as they evaluate postseason options, a response tied to recent reliever injuries and the club’s need for a left‑handed matchup arm in late innings.
- Ward now faces waivers and is unlikely to clear them given his Triple‑A track record, and the roster shift highlights the team’s short‑term push for bullpen depth at the expense of longer‑term outfield depth.