Former Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Anthony Banda has suffered a lateral muscle injury and will miss the rest of the year.
Banda, who emerged as a bullpen regular for years with the Dodgers, was designated for assignment over the offseason, and while on waivers, he was traded to the Minnesota Twins.
He posted a 4.46 earned run average in 34.1 innings for the Twins this year. He had a really good stretch recently since the start of May, where he pitched 20.1 innings and had just a 1.33 ERA.
However, he suffered a lat strain in the middle of June, which sidelined him for a few weeks and placed him on the 15-day IL.
As time went on, Banda and the Twins decided to go through with surgery, which has him now set to miss the rest of 2026.
Banda is optimistic that he can return for the start of the next season, though, as is the case with any surgery to a pitcher’s arm, he might end up needing more time.
How good was Banda with the Dodgers?
While not someone with wipeout stuff, Banda was solid. He played 119 games and posted a 3.14 ERA over 114.2 innings with LA.
Banda was really good in the 2024 postseason, putting up a 1.13 ERA in right innings of work. In 2025, he was notably worse, allowing six runs over 5.2 innings.
However, beyond his production, he was quite endearing to the fanbase, feelings which were mutual, as Banda shared in his goodbye message.
“I came here looking for a chance to contribute. What I found was an organization that challenged me, trusted me, and pushed me to be better every day,” Banda said.
“Because of that, I played the best baseball of my life – and I was fortunate enough to be part of two World Series championships along the way.
“To my teammates – thank you for the work, the preparation, the accountability, and the bond we built in that clubhouse. The standard in that room matters, and I’m proud to have been part of it.
“To the coaches, staff, and everyone behind the scenes – thank you for the belief and the support that allowed me to grow. And to Dodger fans – running out to that mound at Dodger Stadium is something I’ll never take for granted. Your energy, passion, and love for the game are special.”
One Response
Good luck Banda, get better.