Aug 12, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Reds third baseman Santiago Espinal (4) hits a single in the third inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

Santiago Espinal Signed To Minor League Deal

Originally posted on Dodger Blue | By Blake Williams | Last updated Feb 16, 2026 1:47 PM ET

Spring Training has already started for the Los Angeles Dodgers, but that doesn’t mean their roster is ready for the 2026 season to begin.

The Dodgers recently re-signed Evan Phillips and Enrique Hernández, although both are out for at least the early part of the year. The Dodgers have also been shuffling around the back of their roster, losing Anthony Banda, Ben Rortvedt and Andy Ibáñez, while re-adding Michael Siani.

But the Dodgers still lacked in infield depth, and they have been on the search for some depth at the position. They have now found at least one potential option as the Dodgers have signed Santiago Espinal to a Minor League deal, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic:

It’s a minor league deal, but he will be in big league camp. https://t.co/ZbG7RTwwKn

— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) February 16, 2026

Espinal will be in Major League camp with the chance to compete for a bench spot on the Dodgers’ roster. They currently lack a right-handed hitting infielder on their bench.

Espinal has played parts of six seasons at the Major League level, last appearing in a game for the Cincinnati Reds in 2025. He also spent four years with the Toronto Blue Jays.

The 31-year-old had his best season in 2022 with the Blue Jays when he was named an All-Star and hit .267/.322/.370 with a 100 wRC+ and 2.4 WAR for the season. But outside of two years with Toronto, Espinal has been a below league average hitter, slashing .261/.316/.349 with an 85 wRC+ for his career.

Espinal hit just .243/.292/.282 in 114 games last season, but he set his career-high in home runs with nine during the 2024 season while hitting .246/.295/.356.

Espinal does provide great versatility with experience at every position except center field and catcher. He has primarily been a third baseman and middle infielder over his career, though.

Dodgers need for right-handed infielder

The Dodgers were in need of a right-handed-hitting infielder after losing Ibáñez to the Athletics. Ibáñez was originally set to fill in as infield depth with Enrique Hernández and Tommy Edman beginning the year on the injured list.

The Dodgers tried to pass Ibáñez through waivers to keep him within the organization and add him back on the 40-man roster once Spring Training began so they could place players on the 60-day injured list.

But the Athletics spoiled those plans by claiming Ibáñez, leaving the Dodgers without right-handed infield depth.

The Dodgers do have Miguel Rojas on their roster, but he is likely to be the starting second baseman to begin the season, leaving them shallow on backup infield options.

This article first appeared on Dodger Blue and was syndicated with permission.

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