The Los Angeles Dodgers agreed to sign infielder Santiago Espinal to a minor league deal on Monday, adding depth to the team as position players start reporting to Spring Training.
The Dodgers revealed that utility player Tommy Edman will not be ready to go for Opening Day, eliminating an infield piece from the roster outlook.
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“Tommy certainly won’t be ready for Opening Day,” manager Dave Roberts said. “He took some swings a couple days ago, both sides, he did some skipping, some light jogging, I think it was.
“Getting his body into baseball shape. Obviously, he’s not going to be ready for the start of camp and he’s in that same bucket of ‘when he’s ready he’s ready.’ Each day there’s progress.”
Cincinnati Reds third baseman Santiago Espinal (4) reacts to hitting a base hit in the second inning between Cincinnati Reds and Los Angeles Dodgers at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on July 30, 2025.
When healthy, Edman is counted on to be the starting second baseman who can fill in all across the field, though especially filling in at center field due to his range and mobility.
With him out of the picture, at least to start the year, the Dodgers signed Santatio Espinal, a six-year veteran who has spent time with the Toronto Blue Jays and Cincinnati Reds, more recently.
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Espinal has played second base, third base, shortstop, and the outfield, providing the Dodgers with the same versatility as Edman.
Los Angeles has long valued versatile players under the president of baseball operations, Andrew Friedman, who has added players like Kike Hernandez, Miguel Rojas, and Chris Taylor over the years, keeping them on for multiple years.
Espinal could become the latest addition to become a veteran, versatile mainstay if he can turn things around as a hitter.
Santiago Espinal’s hitting stats
For the first four years of his career with the Toronto Blue Jays, Espinal was above replacement level, even having two seasons worth 2.4 bWAR. In 2022, he made the All-Star team with Toronto; however, 2023 was a down year for the righty.
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The Blue Jays chose to move on from him, dealing the infielder to the Reds for a pitcher. In two years with the Reds, he had -1.8 bWAR, hitting .245/.294/.322. His OPS+ was a measly 68, showing how poor his overall hitting was.
If he can play as he did in 2021 and 2022, Espinal could play a key role with the Dodgers and secure a spot in the postseason platoon, ready to step up in case of an injury.
Dodgers fans should be excited about his arrival, as his steady presence should provide stability until Edman is ready to play.
Edman did not look right for long stretches last season as he dealt with the ankle issue, though Espinal buys him more time to recover and get healthy.