Former All-Star infielder Santiago Espinal has officially found a new organization after his second stint on the waiver wire, signing a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers just two weeks after being designated for assignment by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The move gives Espinal another opportunity to work his way back to the major leagues while providing the Rangers with experienced infield depth as they continue to battle injuries during the second half of the season.
Espinal’s departure closes a brief but valuable chapter with the Dodgers, where the veteran utility player answered every challenge the club presented during an injury-plagued stretch of the season.
The 31-year-old played an important role for Los Angeles while several key contributors were unavailable. With Mookie Betts sidelined by an oblique injury, Tommy Edman recovering from ankle surgery, and young infielders Alex Freeland and Hyeseong Kim moving between Triple-A and the majors, Espinal became a dependable option capable of filling multiple positions across the infield.
Although his offensive numbers were modest, Espinal made the most of limited opportunities.
During his 36-game stint with the Dodgers, he posted a .268 batting average, .276 on-base percentage, and .375 slugging percentage. He also finished his Los Angeles tenure on a positive note, collecting eight hits in his final 20 at-bats, while consistently putting the ball in play and limiting strikeouts.
His versatility and reliable defense made him a useful piece for manager Dave Roberts throughout the early months of the season.
Ultimately, however, roster circumstances worked against him.
Once Betts and Edman returned to full health, the Dodgers no longer had enough room to keep Espinal on the active roster. The emergence of Freeland, whose ability to switch-hit while playing multiple infield positions increased his value, further reduced Espinal’s chances of remaining with the club.
Los Angeles initially designated Espinal for assignment on May 25, but he remained in the organization after clearing waivers. When he was designated for assignment again several weeks later, he chose free agency rather than accepting an outright assignment to the minor leagues, allowing him to search for another opportunity elsewhere.
Espinal now hopes the Rangers can provide exactly that.
The veteran brings plenty of major league experience despite his recent struggles. He spent four seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays, earning American League All-Star honors in 2022 after establishing himself as one of Toronto’s most dependable infielders.
He was later traded to the Cincinnati Reds before the 2024 season, but his production declined significantly during his two-year stint in Cincinnati. Last season, he recorded just a .574 OPS across 114 games, leading him to enter free agency and eventually settle for a minor league contract with the Dodgers.
His impressive spring training performance helped revive his career.
Espinal impressed throughout Cactus League play, batting .378 with a .415 on-base percentage and .644 slugging percentage in 19 spring training games, earning a spot on Los Angeles’ Opening Day roster.
Across his major league career, Espinal has appeared in 614 games, compiling a .261 batting average, 21 home runs, 167 RBIs, and a .664 OPS, while building a reputation as a versatile defender capable of handling multiple infield positions.
The Rangers could provide a timely opportunity for the veteran.
Texas has dealt with several injuries of its own this season, including recurring health issues for former Dodgers star Corey Seager, who has already landed on the injured list three separate times during the first half of the campaign.
With the Rangers sitting 44-43 and locked in a tightly contested American League West race, experienced depth could prove increasingly valuable as they pursue a postseason berth.
If Espinal performs well in the minors, he could quickly work his way back to the majors and potentially carve out another utility role for a Texas team looking to strengthen its roster during the playoff push.
Leave a Reply