Dodgers News: Santiago Espinal Making Strong Case for Dodgers Opening Day Roster After Hot Spring
Dave Roberts praises Santiago Espinal as veteran infielder makes strong push for a spot on the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster after a hot spring training start.
GLENDALE, AZ—You’d probably be lying to yourself if you said you were well-versed with the name Santiago Espinal before this spring. The veteran infielder wasn’t exactly a headline name coming into camp, but after a scorching start to Spring Training with the Los Angeles Dodgers, that’s quickly changed.
Just as camp broke, the Dodgers signed Espinal to a minor league deal with a non-roster invitation to spring training, where he’d compete for a possible bench spot in the wake of Tommy Edman’s and Kiké Hernández’s injuries.
The signing of Espinal was intriguing for Los Angeles. Although his career has declined over the past two seasons, he was an American League All-Star in 2022, posting a 100 wRC+ and 2.4 fWAR. Outside of that season, he has generally been a below-average hitter, with a career wRC+ of 85.
Still, where Espinal was truly valued was his defense and the versatility that came with it, showing the ability to play all over the infield except shortstop, along with a decent bat against left-handed pitching.
Espinal Likely Making Opening Day Roster
After a hot start to Cactus League play, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts all but confirmed a possible roster spot for Espinal on Opening Day this morning, stating it’d be hard to imagine him not being with the team come late March.
“(He has fit in) seamlessly. It’d be hard to imagine him not being on the team.”
That statement was even more reinforced by his performance on Thursday, where Espinal improved to hitting 10-for-16, including two home runs and six RBIs, in the 14-13 loss to the Reds at Goodyear Ballpark.
Even with a hot start to the spring season, if Espinal makes the Opening Day roster, he would not get everyday playing time, likely sharing time on the bench in a platoon situation with Max Muncy and the revolving door at second base until Edman’s return.
Adding Espinal to the 40-man roster won’t be difficult, as the team cleared a spot earlier this week by outrighting recently claimed outfielder Jack Suwinski to Triple-A; however, when players start to return, it will be harder to keep Espinal within the organization.
If Espinal joins the Dodgers roster, he would have the right to refuse any minor league assignment because of his five years and 149 days of major league service time, similar to other players who slipped through the Dodgers this offseason.
Dodgers Bench Spots Up for Grabs
The Dodgers’ starting 1-through-9 entering camp was pretty much set; however, the spots on the bench, minus the backup catching position, which former top prospect Dalton Rushing will occupy, were not set in stone.
Joining Espinal in a quest for a nod at the Opening Day roster is fellow NRI Nick Senzel, who also signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers this offseason and has had his own impressive start to the season.
Alex Call is another name that made an impact with the team during the second half last season after being acquired via trade with the Washington Nationals, while showcasing that elite at-bat quality, going 2-for-2 with two walks and an RBI double in today’s game.
With Edman out for the foreseeable future, the role for the second base gig is also up for grabs, which was formerly a battle between Alex Freeland and Hyeseong Kim. While Kim had the upper hand, Freeland will have the opportunity to overtake him while Kim competes in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
More Dodgers Coverage:
Have you subscribed to the Bleed Los Podcast YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows & promotions, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
