Anthony Banda Out for 2026 After Lat Surgery

The former Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Anthony Banda has undergone surgery to repair a lat strain and will miss the rest of the 2026 campaign. He said he expects to be ready for spring training when the season ends. The procedure followed a June lat strain that sidelined him with the Minnesota Twins.

Dodgers Tenure and World Series Impact

Banda spent two full seasons with the Dodgers, playing crucial roles as the club captured back‑to‑back World Series titles in 2024 and 2025. In his rookie‑type season of 2024 he posted a 3.08 ERA over 48 games, striking out 50 batters in 49.2 innings. That postseason he pitched ten times, allowing just one run and finishing with a 1.13 ERA.

When he returned for 2025, Banda led the staff with 71 appearances and posted a 3.18 ERA through 65 innings pitched. His postseason performance slipped, however, as he gave up six runs in only 5.2 innings of aging work.

Trade to Minnesota and Recent Struggles

Los Angeles decided to move on from the fan favorite in the following offseason, designating him for assignment and later trading him to the Minnesota Twins for international bonus pool money. With Minnesota, Banda has not replicated the form he showed in California, posting a 4.46 ERA in 39 appearances while his other metrics have regressed. He went down with a lat strain at the end of June, culminating in the season‑ending surgery.

Twins Bullpen Updates: Jeffers and Abel

The Twins bullpen has begun to fill the holes left by Banda’s departure. Ryan Jeffers has been spotted in the clubhouse and looks ready to contribute, while Mick Abel, who had bone shaved, remains optimistic about his recovery but still lacks a firm timeline. DanHayesMLB posted a note on July 9, 2026, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding Abel’s return.

Who Replaced Banda in the Dodgers’ Bullpen?

Los Angeles recruited additional left‑handed arms to shore up the late‑inning mix after Banda’s exit. Tanner Scott has rebounded from a disappointing prior year, now holding a sub‑3.00 ERA on the season. Alex Vesia has also been effective, posting a 2.35 ERA across 41 games, while Jack Dreyer has delivered a 3.11 ERA in 37 outings. The trio has helped the Dodgers maintain a strong relief core.

The news of Banda’s season‑ending surgery underscores how quickly a reliever’s career can change direction. His departure from LA and subsequent struggles in Minnesota illustrate the volatility of major‑league bullpens. Fans will now watch the newly anointed left‑handers hope to carry the momentum forward as the Dodgers pursuit of another championship continues.