The Los Angeles Dodgers executed one of the most significant cuts to their development system so far in 2026 on Thursday, September 3. The organization released 10 players from its minor league affiliates, eight from the Dominican Summer League and two from the Arizona Complex League. While a common move at the end of the minor league season, it was surprising due to its scale and the players involved.

The announcement was confirmed by Dodgers On SI, which provided details on the 10 affected players. The decision stems from the need to make room for new international signings in the coming months and to adjust the flow of talent in the minor leagues, allowing Los Angeles to focus on developing players with the greatest potential for reaching the major leagues.

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The 10 players who left the organization

These are the profiles of each of the released pitchers, with their 2026 stats:

Right-handed pitchers:

• Alexis Reyes (RHP, Venezuela): Signed in 2024, he compiled a 9.71 ERA in two seasons in the DSL. His numbers never reflected the talent the organization saw when they signed him.
• Enmanuel De La Rosa (RHP, Dominican Republic): Arrived in 2025 and posted a 3.67 ERA in 2026, the most competitive number among the released pitchers. His release is more surprising than the others given his ERA.
• Ángel Rodríguez (RHP, Dominican Republic): Signed in March 2026, he had a wild 16.88 ERA in seven appearances. His stint was too short and too expensive to justify keeping him on the team.
• Eliecer Zambrano (RHP, Panama): At just 17 years old, he recorded a 3.78 ERA in 13 games. It is perhaps the most debatable release of the group, given his age and his competitive numbers for someone so young in the DSL.
• Joldelanio De Los Santos (RHP, Dominican Republic): After five years in the DSL, his 54.00 ERA in 2026 sealed his departure. The waiting period ran out.
• Jesús García (RHP, Dominican Republic): Signed in May, he finished with a 12.15 ERA in 12 appearances. Insufficient to sustain himself in a system as competitive as that of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
• Franderly Morel (LHP, Dominican Republic): After moving to the United States, he posted an 8.48 ERA in 19 games. The only left-hander in the group released, his effectiveness did not justify the investment.

Outfielders:

• Jhosman Theran (OF, Colombia): Two seasons in the DSL with a .201 batting average and three home runs. His offensive production never reached the level Los Angeles needed to see to continue investing in him.
• Leider Padilla (OF, Venezuela): In the ACL, he batted .246 with two home runs in 23 games. Development league numbers without enough impact to advance in the system.

Catcher:

• Moisés Rangel (C, Venezuela): He improved his batting average to .262 and his OPS to .821 in 2016, but it wasn't enough to keep him. His release is another surprising one in the group, given that his numbers represented a real improvement over previous seasons.

What This Move Says About the Dodgers

The Dodgers don't release players randomly. Every move in their development system is the result of a thorough evaluation that combines performance metrics, physical projections, and long-term development potential. A system as deep and competitive as Los Angeles', consistently ranked among the top three in MLB, has no room for players who don't demonstrate a clear path to the Major Leagues.

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The most striking case is that of Eliecer Zambrano: 17 years old, 3.78 ERA in 13 games, Panamanian. In any other organization with less depth, that profile would easily survive another year. In the Dodgers, even competitive numbers may not be enough when the system is saturated with higher-potential talent.

The release of Enmanuel De La Rosa also raises questions. A 3.67 ERA in the DSL is a number that, in many systems, guarantees continuity. It wasn't enough here, which says more about the level of the system than the player himself.

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This cut isn't the first this year and likely won't be the last before the official end of the minor league season. The Dodgers continue to build the most ambitious pipeline in baseball, and that requires tough decisions other teams simply wouldn't have to make as often.

Recent Big League Move

Dave Roberts spoke to the media (on September 1) about the Dodgers' decision to designate veteran catcher Ben Rottvedt for assignment to make room for Will Smith to be activated.

"Ben is a great teammate, he's a Major League player and I'll always be grateful because he helped us win a championship last year."

In this way, the team continues to take shape at its highest level and in a farm system thinking about the future.

Who are the Los Angeles Dodgers?

The Los Angeles Dodgers, founded in 1883 as the Brooklyn Dodgers and relocated to California in 1958, are one of the most iconic and successful franchises in Major League Baseball (MLB). Historic for breaking the racial barrier with Jackie Robinson in 1947, they have won multiple World Series titles. Home to the legendary Dodger Stadium, the team combines a rich tradition of legends with constant modern competitiveness, remaining an undisputed icon of Los Angeles sports culture.

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