The last true week of the 2025-26 MLB offseason is nearly in the books. Los Angeles teams were in the headlines on February 6, as both the Angels and Dodgers made moves. Brent Suter is a Halo, while Ben Rortvedt returns to the Dodgers.
Dodgers claim Rortvedt
The Dodgers brought back catcher Ben Rortvedt off waivers from the Reds.
Rortvedt, who saw playing time for the Dodgers late last season thanks to an injury, has had an interesting past few months. Tampa Bay traded him, along with Paul Gervase and Adam Serwinowski, to the Dodgers for Hunter Feduccia last July. Cincinnati claimed him off waivers in November but DFA’d him earlier this month.
In a corresponding move, the Dodgers DFA’d Anthony Banda. Banda (.285 opps. wOBA, 8.4 K/9) pitched well in the Los Angeles bullpen in each of the last two seasons. However, it is worth noting that Banda, a left-hander, was one of many southpaws in a deep Dodgers bullpen.
Angels sign Suter
The Angels officially signed veteran reliever Brent Suter to a contract on February 6. Los Angeles DFA’d Kaleb Ort in a corresponding move.
The 36-year-old spent the last two seasons with the Reds. This past year, Suter struck out 53 over 67.2 IP and posted a 4.52 ERA. Suter’s .316 opponents’ wOBA ranked 159th among relievers who pitched in at least 30 games last season.
Suter, a 2012 draft pick from Harvard, has made a living as a funky, pitch-to-contact left-hander. High arm slot, high-80s sinker & two-seamer who generates a lot of groundballs, can mix things up with a changeup and slider, and be on top of left-handed hitters.
Same-sided hitters batted .243/.282/.387 off him last season.
He is the latest addition to what will be a different-looking bullpen for the Angels in 2026. Kirby Yates, Jordan Romano, and Drew Pomeranz have all signed with the team this winter.
Additionally, the Angels released Cody Lawyerson.
Other moves
Andy Ibanez (Athletics), Bryan Ramos (Cardinals), and Tsung-Che Cheng (Red Sox) were claimed off waivers.
Brett Wisely (Rays) and Max Schuemann (Athletics) were designated for assignment.
Miami traded outfielder Victor Mesa Jr. to the Rays for Minor League infielder Angel Brachi. Brachi spent the last two seasons in the DSL.
Moves from February 5
The Nationals claimed left-hander Ken Waldichuk off waivers.
Meanwhile, the Yankees became the latest team to have Osvaldo Bido this winter. Bido was claimed off waivers by the Angels.
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