Griff McGarry’s second stint with the Philadelphia Phillies didn’t last long. Just three weeks after being returned by the Washington Nationals, the 26-year-old has been dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for international bonus pool space. Philadelphia is also set to receive either a player to be named later or cash considerations in the deal.
Originally selected by the Phillies in 2021, McGarry was once viewed as a potential piece of the team’s future rotation. He showed promise early in his development, but as he climbed the minor league ladder, persistent command issues began to hold him back.
By the end of the 2025 season, it was evident the Phillies were no longer committed to his development. He was left off the 40-man roster ahead of the Rule 5 Draft, allowing the Nationals to take a chance on him.
During spring training with Washington, McGarry made six appearances, allowing two runs on four hits while walking five batters. Despite his ability to generate swings and misses, his control problems continued to limit his opportunities, preventing him from breaking through to the major league level with Philadelphia.
After returning to the Phillies, McGarry was sent outright to Triple-A, where he struggled again giving up four runs on three hits and issuing seven walks in five outings—reinforcing why he no longer factored into the team’s plans.
Still, the Dodgers have built a reputation for turning overlooked arms into valuable bullpen contributors, so there’s a chance they could unlock something in McGarry. For now, he adds minor league depth but could eventually be called upon to eat innings later in the season.
Considering the Phillies initially lost him for nothing and later reacquired him, general manager Dave Dombrowski deserves credit for flipping McGarry into a tangible asset. The added international bonus pool space gives Philadelphia more flexibility in this year’s international free-agent market—likely a better long-term return than anything McGarry would have provided.
