Justin Turner Signs With Surprising Team At 41-Years-Old

Justin Turner spent the early weeks of the 2026 season without a job, waiting for a phone that never rang. 

He found one, just not where anyone expected. Los Angeles Dodgers insider David Vassegh of AM 570 confirmed that the 41-year-old has signed with the Tijuana Toros of the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol, heading south of the border rather than calling it a career. 

The move comes after a rough final MLB chapter in Chicago, where he posted a 71 wRC+ in part-time work at first base and DH with the Cubs in 2025. He still hit lefties reasonably well, with a .759 OPS against southpaws, but managed just a .141 average with zero home runs against right-handed pitching, a jarring line for a player who spent most of his career embarrassing righties. 

His option was declined at season's end, and no big league team came calling this offseason. The Toros season opens April 17th, with Tijuana opening on the road at Saltillo.

A Career Worth Remembering

Turner spent 17 years in the majors across seven teams, but he's remembered almost entirely for his time in Los Angeles. 

He arrived on a minor league deal in 2014 and turned it into nine seasons as a franchise cornerstone. He hit .296/.375/.490 as a Dodger, earned two All-Star selections, won the 2017 NLCS MVP, and delivered a .320/.346/.720 line in the 2020 World Series.

Source confirms Justin Turner has signed to play with Tijuana Toros in Mexican League. 🇲🇽 #Dodgers Teammates used to refer to JT as "Rojo Chingon” pic.twitter.com/RWDHvyFQ6g

— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) April 11, 2026

His departure after 2022 stung the fan base. He then bounced through Boston, Toronto, Seattle and Chicago in the years since, still productive enough into his late 30s to keep drawing interest, until 2025 at least, when the decline became impossible to paper over.

What Happens Next?

The Mexican League has served as a landing spot and a rebound venue for veterans before, and Turner's veteran presence still has real value in the right environment. 

At 41 years old, Justin Turner is signing with the Toros de Tijuana 🐂🇲🇽

Gotta respect the love for the game.

A TRUE GAMER!

From 2014–2022 with the Dodgers, JT went from a minor league invite to a franchise cornerstone.

A 2020 World Series champion, 2x All-Star (2017,… pic.twitter.com/HiauK7Ig3C

— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) April 12, 2026

He has a minor league option remaining, not that it matters for Tijuana, and at 41, his path back to a major league roster is narrow. 

Over his 17-year career, Turner holds a .283/.360/.454 triple-slash line, with 201 home runs, 832 RBIs, and 811 runs scored across 1,758 games played.

Photo Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images