Dodgers Likely to DFA Spring Training Star

Q: Why is Santiago Espinal likely to be DFA'd by the Dodgers?

Santiago Espinal is likely to be DFA'd because he has not performed well this season and there is no spot for him on the roster as other players return from injury.

Q: What are Santiago Espinal's current stats with the Dodgers?

Santiago Espinal has played in 10 games this season, hitting .222 with a double and two RBIs, resulting in a bWAR of -0.3.

Q: Who are the other players competing for a spot on the Dodgers roster?

Hyeseong Kim and Alex Freeland are competing for a spot on the Dodgers roster, especially with Mookie Betts returning from injury.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have an embarrassment of riches in the infield, and a player who broke out in spring training is likely to be designated for assignment as a result. Santiago Espinal, who made the Opening Day roster after a stellar spring, hasn’t gotten a ton of chances to show off his skills so far this season, and it could cost him as Dodgers stars return from injury. He’s played in 10 games, and over 18 at-bats, he’s hitting .222/.222/.278, with a double and two RBIs. He has a bWAR of -0.3. He’s had moments of success, like on April 5, when he knocked in both of his RBIs on the same hit, but otherwise, he’s been quiet.

Feb 21, 2026; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Santiago Espinal against the Los Angeles Angels during a spring training game at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

How will injuries impact Santiago Espinal’s spot on the Dodgers’ roster?

With Tommy Edman and Kike Hernandez still recovering from offseason surgeries and Mookie Betts temporarily sidelined with an oblique strain, the door was open for Dodgers looking to make an impact in the infield. With stalwart Miguel Rojas seeing action, though, it’s seems like the race to stay on the roster has largely come down to Hyeseong Kim, who was called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City, and Alex Freeland. One of the two of them is likely to be demoted or moved when Betts returns, and Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain thinks it will be Freeland. “I think ultimately I could see Kim staying up when Mookie comes back just to kind of give him an extended run and they’ll probably feel like, ‘Hey, we gave Freeland an extended run, let’s give Kim an extended run,” he said. The fact that Espinal really hasn’t been part of those discussions doesn’t bode well for his future as a Dodger.

What will happen to Santiago Espinal?

Unfortunately for Espinal, McKain believes there will be no other option for the team but to designate him for assignment. “They’re going to DFA Santiago Espinal,” he explained. “I mean, there’s just no spot on the roster for him. And he could find a spot with another team, another opportunity somewhere else. But it’s baseball. It’s a tough business, man. It really only [has] 700 of these jobs in the world, man. It’s not an easy sport to make a living at.”