Los Angeles Dodgers sign former Toronto Blue Jays infielder
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
The Los Angeles Dodgers have signed former Toronto Blue Jays infielder Santiago Espinal.
According to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, the Los Angeles Dodgers have added another layer of infield depth, signing former Toronto Blue Jays infielder Santiago Espinal to a minor league contract.
Espinal has already joined the Dodgers in big-league camp.
The Dodgers signed Santiago Espinal to a minor league deal, but he will be at big league camp, per @FabianArdaya
Signing addresses Dodgers infield injuries, gives Espinal fresh start
The move comes shortly after manager Dave Roberts announced that Tommy Edman will open the season on the injured list.
Edman is working his way back from ankle surgery and has been progressing cautiously as he builds toward game action.
For Espinal, the deal represents a fresh opportunity after elected free agency in November, declining an outright assignment from the Cincinnati Reds.
Espinal, now 31, enjoyed his most productive stretch with the Toronto Blue Jays, highlighted by an All-Star selection in 2022.
Since then, however, his offensive production has dipped. Over the past three seasons, he’s logged 973 plate appearances and posted a combined .245/.298/.325 slash line, good for a 71 wRC+.
His 2025 campaign was particularly challenging, as he hit .243/.292/.282 with a 58 wRC+.
Despite the overall struggles, Espinal has continued to show flashes of value — particularly against left-handed pitching.
Even in a down year offensively, he produced a .289/.344/.491 line against southpaws last season, translating to a 122 wRC+.
While that split regressed in 2025, he still fared better versus lefties than righties, batting .265/.317/.342 with an 81 wRC+.
Defensively, Espinal’s versatility remains his calling card. He has experience at second base, shortstop, and third base, along with time at first and in the corner outfield spots.
That positional flexibility could give him a legitimate chance to carve out a bench role in Los Angeles, particularly with Edman sidelined to begin the year.
For the Dodgers, the signing carries minimal risk and offers experienced depth with some upside in a platoon role.
For Espinal, it’s a chance to reset with a perennial contender and potentially reestablish himself as a valuable utility option at the major league level.
Also read on Blue Jays Central :
San Diego Padres sign former Toronto Blue Jays first baseman
San Diego Padres sign former Toronto Blue Jays first baseman
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 16|115 ANSWERS Los Angeles Dodgers sign former Toronto Blue Jays infielder Is Santiago Espinal a good infield depth signing for the Los Angeles Dodgers? | ||
| Yes | 74 | 64.3 % |
| No | 17 | 14.8 % |
| Too early to tell | 24 | 20.9 % |
| List of polls | ||