A few days after being designated for assignment by the Los Angeles Dodgers, infielder Santiago Espinal is heading to the open market after electing free agency on Thursday, per Major League Baseball’s transaction log.

Espinal had the option of accepting an outright assignment to Triple-A after clearing waivers earlier this week or opting for free agency. In the end, the 31-year-old chose the latter of those avenues, making him available to sign with any of the 29 other franchises.

The Dodgers originally brought Espinal in on a minor-league deal over the off-season, inviting him to spring training as a non-roster participant as depth for the injured Kiké Hernández. Following an intriguing camp, he broke camp with the big-league club ahead of Opening Day, splitting time across the diamond — mostly at third base, but also at second and first.

But the former Toronto Blue Jays infielder — traded to the Cincinnati Reds prior to the start of the 2024 campaign — had struggled with the bat as a Dodger, only mustering four extra-base hits (one home run) in 36 games. Overall, he slashed .268/.276/.375 with one walk and eight strikeouts, earning a measly 77 wRC+ (100 league average).

Once Tommy Edman returned from his season-opening IL stint, Los Angeles declared Espinal the odd man out, designating him for assignment for the second time this season.

By foregoing an outright assignment to remain with the Dodgers organization, Espinal — who owns a .285/.336/.402 career slash line against left-handed pitching and can still offer a platoon bat off the bench — will now attempt to catch on with his third franchise in as many seasons, likely seeking a more defined pathway to a major-league role.

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