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

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[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…

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

• Dodgers call up slugger Ryan Ward, last year's Pacific Coast League MVP, put Freddie Freeman on paternity list - Yahoo Sports — Ian Casselberry Contributing writer Sun, Apr 19, 2026 · 2 min read
• Dodgers call up slugger Ryan Ward, last year's Pacific Coast League MVP, put Freddie Freeman on paternity list - Yahoo Sports — Ian Casselberry Contributing writer Sun, Apr 19, 2026 · 2 min read
• Dodgers place Freeman on paternity list, recall Ryan Ward - ESPN — Jesse Rogers
• Dodgers to call up prospect Ryan Ward (report) — Mlb
• Dodgers Recall Ryan Ward, Place Freddie Freeman on Paternity List - Yahoo Sports — Adrian Medina Sun, Apr 19, 2026 · 2 min read
• Freddie Freeman returns to Dodgers from paternity list after welcoming baby daughter, London — Sfchronicle

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