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Alden Gonzalez
The Los Angeles Dodgers picked up Max Muncy’s club option for 2026 on Thursday, bringing their longtime third baseman back for their attempt at a three-peat next season, sources told ESPN. With Clayton Kershaw retiring, Muncy, whose option is valued at $10 million, is now the Dodgers’ longest-tenured player.
The Dodgers originally signed Muncy to a minor league contract after he had been basically discarded by the then-Oakland Athletics at the end of spring training in 2017. The Dodgers watched him become a critical part of their lineup shortly thereafter. From 2018 to 2025, Muncy, 35, posted an .843 regular-season OPS, accumulated 209 home runs and added 587 RBIs while displaying elite plate discipline.
Muncy’s 16 career postseason home runs are now a franchise record, surpassing Justin Turner and Corey Seager (13 each).
The Dodgers also picked up their $3.55 million option for left-handed reliever Alex Vesia, who was left off the World Series roster because of a family emergency, a source confirmed. Vesia, 29, was one of few trusted relievers in an underwhelming bullpen this season, posting a 3.02 ERA with 80 strikeouts against 22 walks in 59⅔ innings.
Also Thursday, former All-Star pitcher Tony Gonsolin was designated for assignment after his past two years were wracked by injuries.
The 31-year-old right-hander made just seven starts before having elbow surgery that ended his season this year. He previously missed all of 2024 while recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Gonsolin had a career year in 2022, when he opened 11-0 with a 2.02 ERA. He was the losing pitcher in the All-Star Game after allowing three runs on four hits, including two home runs. By August, he went on the injured list with a forearm strain and did not return until the penultimate game of the regular season. He finished 16-1 with a 2.14 ERA and 119 strikeouts.
The Dodgers added outfielder Ryan Ward and left-hander Robinson Ortiz to the 40-man roster.
Ward was the Pacific Coast League MVP this season, hitting .290 with 36 homers and 122 RBIs for Triple-A Oklahoma City. Ortiz was 5-2 with a 2.73 ERA in 48 games between High-A and Triple-A.
Outfielder Justin Dean and right-hander Michael Grove were outrighted. Dean was claimed off waivers by the San Francisco Giants. Grove missed this season after having surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. He had pitched in parts of the previous three seasons for the Dodgers.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
