Dodgers pick up former Tigers fan favorite as Nationals scrounge for LA's scraps

During their series finale against the Padres on Sunday, the Dodgers had a new face in the starting lineup and at third base, batting all the way down in the nine-spot. Journeyman Buddy Kennedy had just been claimed off of waivers on Aug. 15 and was added to the 26-man roster in a hurry.

Kennedy was DFA'd by the Blue Jays on Aug. 12, already his second team of the season after being DFA'd by the Phillies in late June. He ended up in Philadelphia last season after the Tigers let him go. Kennedy only played in six games in Detroit last season, but he became something of a folk hero when his second game turned into a three-RBI afternoon (including a two-run homer).

Kennedy got three at-bats in his first game as a Dodger and went hitless with two strikeouts, but he made a nice play at third base in the second that made him look like at least a decent enough defensive replacement while Max Muncy remains on the IL.

Pitcher Julian Fernández, who was DFA'd to make room for Kennedy, was claimed off of waivers by the Nationals on Sunday.

Dodgers claim journeyman third baseman Buddy Kennedy off of Blue Jays waivers, Nationals pick up DFA'd reliever Julian Fernández

The Dodgers brought in a stopgap former Blue Jay last season too (Cavan Biggio), when they traded pitcher Braydon Fisher to Toronto in a move that they're probably regretting. Kennedy is unlikely to be anything more than a temporary fill-in, but it's unclear exactly when Muncy will be healthy enough to come off the IL (he's already expected to need more than 10 days but isn't expected to be down for the rest of the season).

Fernández got two innings in one July game with the Dodgers this season, and he gave up two runs and was DFA'd the next day. He follows in the footsteps of Luis García, who was at least slightly more useful to the Dodgers during his brief stay in LA. García didn't end up lasting very long with the Nats and was dealt to the Angels at the trade deadline.

That two-run homer with the Tigers in 2024 remains Kennedy's one and only major league homer in his last three seasons, but maybe the Dodgers can make something out of him while Muncy's on the shelf.