Dodgers Claim Christian Cairo From Mets

The Los Angeles Dodgers claimed infielder Christian Cairo from the New York Mets on Monday, November 9, after he was designated for assignment on Nov. 2. The move brings the Dodgers’ 40-man roster to 38 players now and represents their first MLB roster transaction of the offseason.

Cairo has yet to make his MLB debut and spent the majority of the 2026 season with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, playing in 128 games, hitting .227/.378/.298 with four home runs, 66 runs scored, 35 RBI and 25 stolen bases.

The 25-year-old was designated by the Philadelphia Phillies on September 13 and claimed by the Mets on September 15. He has been in the Minor Leagues for parts of seven seasons, slashing .226/.360/.314 with 21 homers, 170 RBI and 311 runs scored with 130 stolen bases.

Cairo is regarded as a quality defender with solid speed, and he is capable of playing shortstop, second base and third base. He’s also seen time at first base and all three outfield spots.

Cairo has a bat that leaves a lot to be desired. The right-hander has below-average bat speed, but he does have quality bat control that allows him to hit to all areas of the field.

Fangraphs projects his hit tool as a 40 future value with just 30 game power on the 20-80 scale, making him a glove-first infielder who can be the last man on an MLB roster.

The Bakersfield, Calif., native was drafted by the Cleveland Guardians in the fourth round of the 2019 Draft out of Calvary Christian High School in Clearwater, FL. Christian Cairo is the son of Miguel Cairo, who spent 17 years in MLB.

What is Christian Cairo’s role with Dodgers

If Cairo sticks with the Dodgers through the offseason, which is no guarantee, he should get a chance to compete for a backup infielder spot during Spring Training. The Dodgers will be looking for bench replacements, with Miguel Rojas retiring and Enrique Hernández likely to depart in free agency.

It’s the second utility infield addition the Dodgers have made in the last few days after they also re-signed Tyler Fitzgerald to a Minor League deal.

But Cairo will likely spend most of the season in Triple-A with the chance to get called up as an injury replacement when the Dodgers need an infielder on their roster during the course of the season. He has two option years remaining, so the Dodgers have some versatility with maneuvering him between the Minors and MLB.