"Manager Dave Roberts said this morning that it's "hard to imagine [Espinal] not being on the team" (via Jack Harris of the California Post). Roberts spoke highly of Espinal when players reported to camp, and the veteran infielder has since gone 8-for-14 with a pair of doubles and a stolen base in his first handful of Cactus League plate appearances."
"Espinal is a versatile, righty-swinging infielder with considerable experience at both third base (1794 MLB innings) and second base (1621 innings). He's also logged 343 major league frames at shortstop (most coming back in 2020), chipped in 114 innings in the outfield corners and logged another 16 at first base. It's the sort of defensive flexibility that the Dodgers tend to prioritize with their bench players."
"He'd be more of a second base option with the Dodgers - a potential right-handed complement to lefty-hitting Hyeseong Kim, who's entering the second season of a three-year contract. Espinal is a career .291/.344/.409 hitter versus left-handed pitching."
Santiago Espinal, a 31-year-old veteran infielder, has impressed Dodgers manager Dave Roberts during spring training as a non-roster invitee. Roberts stated it's "hard to imagine" Espinal not making the team. Espinal has performed well early in Cactus League play, going 8-for-14 with doubles and a stolen base. His defensive versatility across multiple infield positions and outfield corners makes him valuable as a bench player. After two struggling seasons with Cincinnati, Espinal could serve as a right-handed complement to left-handed second baseman Hyeseong Kim. Espinal's career .291 average against left-handed pitching provides offensive upside the Dodgers seek.
Read at MLB Trade Rumors
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