Ryan Ward Earns Major League Call-Up as Dodgers First Baseman Goes on Paternity Leave

In a heartwarming turn of events, the Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman has been placed on the paternity list as he and his wife, Chelsea, prepare to welcome their fourth child, their first daughter among three sons. This development has opened the door for Ryan Ward, who at 28 years and 55 days old, could become the oldest Dodgers draft pick to make his major league debut. The record is currently held by pitcher Geoff Zahn, who debuted with the team at 27 years and 257 days in 1973.

Paternity leave in Major League Baseball allows for a minimum of one day and a maximum of three days, meaning Ward’s opportunity to shine may be brief. Originally slated to start for Oklahoma City on Friday night, Ward was a late scratch, with Nick Senzel stepping in at first base. However, Ward has been on a tear this season in Triple-A, where he secured the Pacific Coast League MVP award last year and is hitting an impressive .324/.432/.588 with a 165 wRC+ this season, including four home runs, six doubles, and 14 RBI in just 18 games while splitting time between first base and left field.

Drafted by the Dodgers in the eighth round of the 2019 MLB Draft from Bryant University, Ward has steadily climbed through the minor leagues, advancing one level per season—except for the 2020 season, which was canceled. His journey culminated in his arrival at Oklahoma City in 2023, where he has continued to excel. In 2025, he hit 36 home runs while boasting a .290/.380/.557 line and a 132 wRC+, earning him league MVP honors. His impressive performance included a standout offseason where he shone internationally, hitting five home runs in just nine games for Team USA during the Premier12 tournament in Tokyo.

Having spent significant time in Triple-A, Ward is now among the leaders in several modern career records for Oklahoma City, including 94 home runs and 322 RBIs since 1998 at their current ballpark. In his 2025 MVP season, he also set records for hits (164), home runs, RBIs, and runs scored (113). Despite his success, Ward faced stiff competition for playing time with the Dodgers, as the roster features established stars like Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and Max Muncy. This led to a scenario where Ward found himself blocked, even as the team sought better defensive options in the outfield.

With minor league free agency looming this offseason, it seemed Ward’s time with the Dodgers might be coming to an end. However, just before free agency, the Dodgers extended one last lifeline, adding him to the 40-man roster on November 6, keeping hope alive for his major league aspirations.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.