The Los Angeles Dodgers are set to open up a new three-game weekend series with the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday evening, which is one of the most anticipated series on the MLB slate.
The Phillies are fresh off a sweep of the San Diego Padres and will send Zack Wheeler to the mound in game one of the series for the Phils. As for the Dodgers, they, too, are fresh off a sweep against the Colorado Rockies, but this Phillies series will be a much tougher task for Los Angeles. It’s also a rematch of the Phillies-Dodgers NLDS last October. Before the Phillies series, the Los Angeles Dodgers are set to announce a notable roster move.
The Dodgers are signing Santiago Espinal, and optioning Hyeseong Kim.
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Dodgers Select Santiago Espinal; Option Hyeseong Kim
GettyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 26: Hyeseong Kim #6 of the Los Angeles Dodgers takes batting practice prior to the game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium on May 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
Per reporters who are boots on the ground covering the Los Angeles Dodgers (Jack Harris, Fabian Ardaya), the team is selecting the contract of former MLB All-Star Santiago Espinal, and optioning $12.5 million infielder Hyeseong Kim.
The thing about this news is that the Dodgers have a full 40-man roster, so they will have to subtract another player to keep Espinal on the roster. That player has not been reported yet.
More on Santiago Espinal/Hyeseong Kim
GettyHyeseong Kim #6 of the Los Angeles Dodgers participates in a fielding drill during spring training workouts at Camelback Ranch on February 13, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona.
Hyeseong Kim has played okay with the Dodgers in his opportunities this season.
Over 116 at-bats, Kim is batting .259 with one home run, one triple, and three doubles. His OPS sits at .651, and he has a bWAR of 0.5 in 43 games.
As for Santiago Espinal, he has received fewer opportunities than Kim, and is a former MLB All-Star with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Espinal is hitting .220 this season with one homer and four RBI in 41 at-bats.
It’s unclear what this move is really for, but perhaps it’s so Kim can see a handful of at-bats in the minors before re-joining the team.
Espinal is a versatile infielder who holds a career average of .260 with 21 home runs in 604 games played. He’s not really a power threat, but brings a great glove to the table.
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