Santiago Espinal signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Feb. 17.<\/p>\n
Not even a month later, it\u2019s already clear to manager Dave Roberts that Espinal doesn\u2019t belong in the minors.<\/p>\n
On Thursday the Dodgers\u2019 manager told reporters, including Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic<\/a>, that Espinal fit in \u201cseamlessly\u201d with the team and it\u2019s hard to see him not making the team\u2019s 26-man MLB<\/a> roster to start the regular season.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n MORE: Andrew McCutchen finds new home in American League<\/a><\/p>\n Espinal, 31, is 8-for-14 (.571) in his first six spring training games, with four walks and only two strikeouts.<\/p>\n The Cactus League environment is hitter-friendly, and the caliber of pitching Espinal faces won\u2019t rise consistently until the regular season starts.<\/p>\n 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 Kik\u00e9 Hern\u00e1ndez.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Since he isn\u2019t 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<\/a> Jack Suwinski to Triple-A, so Espinal conceivably could take Suwinski\u2019s spot.<\/p>\n \u2014 Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead <\/a>\u2014<\/p>\n NFL: 5 most overrated NFL free agents hitting the market in 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n MLB: What drug did Jurickson Profar take? MLB announces PED use<\/a><\/p>\n SPORTS MEDIA: Stephen A. Smith bashes underwhelming NBA star as \u2018food addict\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n VIRAL: NBC delivers epic nostalgia with \u2018Throwback Tuesday\u2019 NBA broadcast<\/a><\/p>\n WORLD CUP: Will Iran compete in the 2026 World Cup? Donald Trump weighs in<\/a><\/p>\n WNBA: Players, union leaders divided, claims letter from 2-time MVP and 4-time All-Star<\/a><\/p>\n The post Dodgers likely adding ex-Blue Jays All-Star to MLB roster, Dave Roberts says<\/a> appeared first on The Big Lead<\/a>.<\/p>\n