Dodgers likely adding ex-Blue Jays All-Star to MLB roster, Dave Roberts says

Santiago Espinal signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Feb. 17.

Not even a month later, it’s already clear to manager Dave Roberts that Espinal doesn’t belong in the minors.

On Thursday the Dodgers’ manager told reporters, including Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, that Espinal fit in “seamlessly” with the team and it’s hard to see him not making the team’s 26-man MLB roster to start the regular season.

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Espinal, 31, is 8-for-14 (.571) in his first six spring training games, with four walks and only two strikeouts.

The Cactus League environment is hitter-friendly, and the caliber of pitching Espinal faces won’t rise consistently until the regular season starts.

More important to the Dodgers is that Espinal can handle his glove at a variety of infield positions. Tommy Edman is recovering from off-season ankle surgery and will begin the season on the injured list, as will veteran utility player Kiké Hernández.

With veteran Miguel Rojas and second-year infielder Hyeseong Kim a logical left-right platoon at second base, the Dodgers could use someone to give the other infielders a breather.

Espinal was an All-Star with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2022, when he slashed .267/.322/.370. Last year with the Cincinnati Reds, he saw time at all four infield positions, as well as left and right field, while slashing .243/.292/.282.

Since he isn’t on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers will need to add Espinal before he can suit up for them in a game that counts. The Dodgers recently outrighted Jack Suwinski to Triple-A, so Espinal conceivably could take Suwinski’s spot.

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