Dodgers Daily Podcast

Dodgers-Twins On Deck, Ward’s Bench-Bat Audition

Monday, June 22, 2026 · 4 min

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Los Angeles Dodgers visit the Minnesota Twins with Eric Lauer lined up against Zebby Matthews, while Ryan Ward’s brief roster window raises a bigger deadline question: whether the club is still searching for left-handed bench thump.

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Los Angeles Dodgers visit the Minnesota Twins with Eric Lauer lined up against Zebby Matthews, while Ryan Ward’s brief roster window raises a bigger deadline question: whether the club is still searching for left-handed bench thump.

In this episode

  1. Los Angeles Dodgers vs Minnesota Twins Box Score - June 22, 2026 - The Athletic — The Athletic

    [SKIP ADVERTISEMENT](#after-top-ad) Advertisement [Dodgers](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/mlb/team/dodgers/) (49-29), 1st in NL West [LAD](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/mlb/team/dodgers/) (49-29) Mon, Jun 22 7:40 PM [MIN](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/mlb/team/twins/) (38-41) [Twins](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/mlb/team/twins/) (38-41), 3rd in AL…

  2. Step Back — Freddie Freeman’s paternity leave opens only a tiny roster window, so why did the Dodgers use it on Ryan Ward specifically — is this just rewarding the hottest Triple-A bat, or does it reveal a real search for a left-handed bench power option before the deadline?

    Background sources