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Former Blue Jays Santiago Espinal DFA’d by Dodgers after second stint with club
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Photo credit: © Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Michael Coyle
Jun 16, 2026, 16:00 EDTUpdated: Jun 16, 2026, 14:20 EDT
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For the second time this season, former Toronto Blue Jays infielder Santiago Espinal has been designated for assignment by the Los Angeles Dodgers. 
The 31-year-old was originally DFA’d by the Dodgers on May 25 after appearing in 26 of the club’s first 53 games and batting .220 with one home run and four RBIs. The move was made to clear a roster spot for Enrique Hernández, who was returning after offseason elbow surgery. 
Espinal elected free agency on May 28 but opted to return to the Dodgers after being signed to a new contract on May 29 as Hernández returned to the injured list. Since re-signing, Espinal has appeared in 10 games and started to swing the bat better, going 6-for-15 with two RBIs to help raise his season average to .268 with one home run and seven RBIs. 
The Dodgers decision to designate Espinal for assignment allows for the return of 31-year-old Tommy Edman to their active roster. Edman has missed the entire duration of the 2026 season as he recovered from right ankle surgery that took place during the offseason. 
Espinal signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers on February 17 after electing free agency from the Cincinnati Reds organization following two seasons with the club. Over his two years in a Reds uniform, Espinal batted .245 with nine home runs and 61 RBIs. 
The Blue Jays originally acquired Espinal from the Boston Red Sox on June 28, 2018, in exchange for Steve Pearce and cash considerations. Espinal joined Single-A Dunedin and worked his way through the minor leagues before being summoned for his MLB debut with the club on July 25, 2020.
 Espinal went on to collect his first career hit on July 28 against the Washington Nationals, and over parts of four seasons with the Blue Jays, batted .273 with 11 home runs and 99 RBIs. He would eventually be traded to the Reds on March 21, 2024, in exchange for Chris McElvain. McElvain currently sits in Double-A with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats and has made 11 starts this season, going 3-1 with a 4.99 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP.
Originally selected in the 10th round of the 2016 MLB Draft, Espinal brings the ability to play all four infield positions and figures to draw some interest for his defensive versatility. Espinal holds a career slash line of .261/.314/.664 with 21 home runs and 167 RBIs over 615 career MLB games played. 

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