The Los Angeles Dodgers roster has carried the organization to back-to-back World Series titles, but it’s a new face that has made a mark in Spring Training, positioning himself to secure the final spot for Opening Day on Thursday, March 26, against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Santiago Espinal has emerged as the favorite for L.A.’s final bench spot. “It’d be hard to imagine him not being on the team,” manager Dave Roberts told reporters, including Jack Harris of the California Post. Espinal bashed a pair of home runs in the Dodgers’ Spring Training matchup against the Cincinnati Reds.
The Dodgers’ roster had an opening for a versatile infielder due to a pair of injuries. Tommy Edman will be delayed to start the year as he recovers from shoulder surgery. Kike Hernandez is coming back from an offseason elbow procedure. Espinal is competing with top prospect Alex Freeland, veteran Nick Senzel, and waiver claim Ryan Fitzgerald for the final spot. Jack Suwinski was sent to Triple-A, freeing up a spot on the 40-man roster.
Santiago Espinal Favored to Make the Los Angeles Dodgers Roster
Espinal joined the Dodgers on a minor league deal in mid-February. The signing came shortly after news broke that Edman would begin the year on the IL. The absence of Edman, who was slated to be the club’s primary second baseman, opened up a position battle at the keystone. Miguel Rojas, Hyeseong Kim, and Freeland are in the mix for the gig. Espinal joined them, and he’s made a strong impression this spring.
The 31-year-old Espinal struggled to a 58 wRC+ in 114 games with the Cincinnati Reds last season. He hit a career-low .243 and didn’t manage a home run across 328 plate appearances. Espinal’s primary value to the Reds was defensive versatility. He spent time at all four infield positions, plus left field and right field. The only spots Espinal hasn’t played in his big-league career are catcher and center field.
Espinal debuted with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2020. He had an uneventful 27 games in the shortened campaign. The infielder became a key cog in the lineup the following year. He hit .311 in 92 games as a semi-regular with the Blue Jays. His 115 wRC+ remains a career high. Espinal earned the majority of second base reps in 2022, delivering a .267/.322/.370 slash line across a career-high 135 contests.
Is the Dodgers Roster Set?
The second base battle was the key area to watch this spring. Rojas, the World Series Game 7 hero, seemed like a strong candidate to contribute after returning on a one-year, $5.5 million deal. Kim has yet to find his footing as a big leaguer, but the team is invested in him. He contributed 13 stolen bases in just 71 games last season, so he brings the speed element that’s missing with Edman down.
The locks for bench spots were Alex Call and Dalton Rushing. Call came over in a trade from the Washington Nationals. He delivered a 103 wRC+ in his partial season with the club. He’ll serve as a righty option against southpaws. Rushing is a former top prospect who will slot into occasional work behind the plate in relief of Will Smith. If Espinal can secure the last spot, Freeland will head to the minors for more seasoning.
Dodgers Roster News: Dave Roberts Tabs Veteran For Final Spot