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Former Blue Jay Santiago Espinal DFA’d by Los Angeles Dodgers
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Photo credit: © Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Michael Coyle
May 25, 2026, 18:45 EDTUpdated: May 25, 2026, 18:36 EDT
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On Monday afternoon, former Toronto Blue Jays infielder Santiago Espinal was designated for assignment by the Los Angeles Dodgers. 
The 31-year-old has received sporadic playing time over the Dodgers’ first 53 games. Espinal has appeared in 26 games this year and is batting .220 with one home run and four RBIs across 41 at-bats.
 
Espinal has received playing time at first base, second base, and third base this season, while also showcasing the ability to play shortstop over his previous six seasons in MLB. After becoming a free agent this offseason, Espinal was signed to a minor-league deal on February 21. 
The utility infielder earned his spot on the Dodgers’ roster after impressing during Spring Training. Espinal batted .378 with two home runs and 13 RBIs over 45 at-bats, and reached base at a .415 clip, leaving the Dodgers with no choice but to add him to their 26-man roster as Enrique Hernández recovered from off-season elbow surgery. Hernández’s return left no spot for Espinal on the roster.
Espinal was originally acquired by the Blue Jays on June 28, 2018, in exchange for Steve Pearce and cash considerations. Espinal made his MLB debut with the Blue Jays on July 25, 2020, and recorded his first career hit on July 28 against the Washington Nationals. Over parts of four seasons with the Blue Jays, Espinal batted .273 with 11 home runs and 99 RBIs and was named an All-Star during the 2022 season. 
On March 21, 2024, the Blue Jays traded Espinal to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for right-handed pitcher Chris McElvain. Espinal spent both the 2024 and 2025 seasons in Cincinnati before electing free agency on November 1, 2025. Espinal holds a career slash line of .260/.314/.633 to go along with 21 home runs and 164 RBIs. 
The 10th-round selection during the 2016 MLB Draft figures to draw some interest from infield-needy teams that are looking to fill a hole on their roster at a relatively cheap price. 
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