Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Santiago Espinal had an amazing game against the Cincinnati Reds Thursday, further making a case for his inclusion on the Opening Day roster.
Espinal went 2-for-2 with two home runs, a solo shot and a three-run blast, and picked up two more RBIs with two sacrifice flies in the Dodgers’ 14-13 loss. The 31-year-old didn’t hit a home run for the entirety of the 2025 season despite playing 114 games for the Reds.
This performance comes directly after manager Dave Roberts’ comments about Espinal’s likelihood to make the Opening Day roster out of spring training, where the skipper said it would be “hard to imagine” a scenario where the six-year veteran doesn’t make the team.
So far this spring, Espinal is 12-for-19 and has four consecutive multi-hit games. His eight RBIs in the Cactus League rank first on the Dodgers, as does his 1.761 OPS.
The infielder signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers just after spring training began, and wasted no time in seizing an opportunity within the organization. With Tommy Edman out for Opening Day as he recovers from ankle surgery, there is a wide open spot at second base and Espinal could be the frontrunner for the position if he continues to produce.
“It’s pretty amazing, that’s what it’s all about,” Espinal said of the opportunity to land a starting spot for the World Series champs.
“You’ve got to compete everyday when you come here. You’ve got to compete in anything you do. Whether it’s hitting, whether it’s different you’ve got to compete and this is what it’s all about.”
Feb 27, 2026; Scottsdale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Santiago Espinal hits the ball into play against the San Francisco Giants in the first inning at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn ImagesCan Dodger Fans Expect This Kind of Offense Out of Santiago Espinal Consistently?
While Espinal certainly has had a great spring, expecting him to put up numbers like he has throughout the remainder of the season is unrealistic.
Espinal posted a .574 OPS last season and has struggled with the bat throughout his career, but that’s not to say he isn’t of any value. The Dodgers have a history of turning bargain signings into stars, and Espinal could be the newest entry on that list.
Besides, Espinal’s real value lies within his glove.
He posted two outs above average with limited playing time in 2025, ranking in the top 76% of MLB, and has historically been great in the field, ranking within the top 10% of the league in outs above average on multiple occasions.
The veteran will look to continue stringing solid performances together as he looks to assist the Dodgers throughout their three-peat campaign in 2026.
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