The Los Angeles Dodgers made an under-the-radar move last month when they signed Santiago Espinal to a Minor League contract that included an invitation to Spring Training.
The 31-year-old is competing for a spot on the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster and so far has been one of the biggest surprises in big league camp.
Through eight Cactus League games, Espinal has gone 10-for-17 with two doubles, two home runs and nine RBI in 24 plate appearances. His right-handed bat off the bench filled a void that was created when Andy Ibáñez was claimed off waivers by the Athletics.
Espinal said his goal is not only improving from a down year in 2025, but adding something unique to a Dodgers team coming off back-to-back World Series titles, via Sonja Chen of MLB.com:
“Be better than last season. Way better than last season,” Espinal said. “They already have a family here, and the question that I asked myself: ‘How can I add to this team, to a back-to-back championship, as a baseball player?’ That’s something that I’ve been working on every day, and something that I will keep working on ’til the end of the season.”
Espinal has never been known for his bat as he hit just .243/.292/.282 in 114 games with the Cincinnati Reds last season. Outside of a productive two-year stretch in Toronto, Espinal owns a career wRC+ of just 85 — 15 points lower than league average.
However, he does provide great versatility with experience at every position except center field and catcher. Espinal has primarily played third base this spring, making appearances at second base and first base as well.
Santiago Espinal ‘fitting in seamlessly’ with Dodgers
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said last week that it would be difficult to imagine the 2022 All-Star not making the team’s Opening Day roster.
Espinal is now poised to get regular at-bats with the Dodgers to begin the 2026 season, potentially as part of a platoon with Hyeseong Kim at second base.
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