At the 2022 MLB season peak, Santiago Espinal earned recognition as a versatile All-Star utility player with the Toronto Blue Jays, contributing significantly to a 92-win campaign and a playoff appearance. Four years on, Espinal is now vying to reestablish his major league presence with the Los Angeles Dodgers after signing a minor-league deal this winter, following several challenging seasons.
During spring training in Scottsdale, Arizona, Espinal reunited with former teammate Teoscar Hernández, who highlighted Espinal’s deep understanding of the game and his adaptability across situations. Hernández remarked,
“He understands the game. He understands every situation. And he understands everything that he has to do.”
Current Standing and Competition on the Dodgers’ Utility Roster
Despite being on the fringe of the Dodgers’ star-studded roster, Espinal’s experience and versatility place him as a likely candidate for a bench role. At 31 years of age, the infielder faces stiff competition from younger players like Hyeseong Kim and Alex Freeland, who are also fighting for spots on Opening Day, especially to fill the void left by Tommy Edman’s absence.
With the Dodgers’ lineup already featuring multiple former All-Stars, some might overlook Espinal. His recent production since 2022 has been underwhelming, with a negative Wins Above Replacement (WAR) of -0.4 according to Fangraphs, raising questions about his future. Nevertheless, his ability to play numerous positions and accept limited playing time keeps him in consideration.
Speaking about his opportunity, Espinal said,
“The Dodgers told me I’d have a great opportunity here to compete. And as soon as I got here, they welcomed me with open arms.”
Opening Day Roster Dynamics and Espinal’s Role
Espinal’s potential value increased with Kiké Hernández expected to miss the first half of the season recovering from offseason elbow surgery. Teoscar Hernández likened Espinal to Kiké, saying,
“I see him as a Kiké Hernández type of player. He can play and contribute in a lot of ways.”
The Dodgers had initially planned to replace Kiké with free-agent Andy Ibáñez, but a 40-man roster crunch led to Ibáñez being lost on waivers before spring camp started. Furthermore, the utility spot opened up when Tommy Edman was ruled out for Opening Day, increasing the roster’s need for flexible depth.
While Kim and Freeland battle for second base playing time, the Dodgers may opt to keep only one, allowing the other to continue developing in Triple-A. This scenario opens a potential “last-man-on-the-bench” role for Espinal, offering strategic defensive coverage and spot at-bats.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged this possibility, stating on Espinal’s prospects,
“He’s really a helpful, winning player in my opinion, (who) raises the floor.”
Training Progress and Adjustments During Spring Training
Espinal has rapidly settled into the Dodgers’ environment, practicing daily alongside key big-league players such as Mookie Betts, Max Muncy, Miguel Rojas, and Freddie Freeman on the primary field at Camelback Ranch, rather than with other minor league hopefuls.
In collaboration with Dodgers hitting coaches, Espinal has revisited and adjusted his swing mechanics to recapture the line-drive hitting style that powered much of his early success. This approach served him well during his .280 batting average years from 2020 to 2022 and is now reflected in his spring statistics, where he has gone 4 for 9, including a solid RBI single against the San Francisco Giants.
He also draws inspiration from observing teammates, noting,
“Like, one thing in the cage, I never see Mookie pull the ball. It’s always right-center. That’s something that’s a very little detail, but to me it’s like, ‘Hey, let me try that, too. Let me see how my swing path can change by doing that.’”
Defensive Versatility as Espinal’s Key Asset
Espinal’s defensive flexibility remains his strongest attribute. He can serve as a substitute at third base, particularly against left-handed pitching, and also competes for time at second base and in corner outfield positions. This versatility is critical for a bench player tasked with covering multiple roles, especially given the Dodgers’ stacked lineup.
While regular at-bats might be scarce, Espinal welcomes every opportunity, aiming to demonstrate that his 2022 level of play is still attainable. Teoscar Hernández expressed confidence in his teammate, saying,
“I’m happy that he has a chance to show what he’s capable of. He can be really big for this team this year.”
What Espinal’s Presence Means for the Dodgers’ Season
Santiago Espinal’s potential inclusion on the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster symbolizes resilience and adaptability after a career setback. His capacity to fill multiple roles provides valuable roster flexibility, especially during a long season full of injuries and lineup adjustments.
Given the Dodgers’ ambition to continue their dominance as two-time defending World Series champions, the availability of a reliable, multi-positional player like Espinal could prove instrumental in maintaining depth. His progress during spring training will likely dictate whether he secures a spot to contribute when the regular season begins.
