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Santiago Espinal has rejoined the Dodgers, per FantasyPros. The utility infielder is back on the big league roster just days after clearing waivers and being outrighted to Triple-A Oklahoma City — a quick turnaround that suggests the club needed him sooner than expected.

Espinal’s path this season has been turbulent. He had been struggling at the plate for the Dodgers, which led the front office to designate him for assignment. When he cleared waivers unclaimed, he was outrighted to Oklahoma City, a move that gave the organization flexibility while keeping him in the system. That he’s already back tells us something shifted on the roster — whether that’s an injury, a corresponding move, or simply a need for infield depth.

The 31-year-old Espinal came to the Dodgers with a reputation as a solid defensive infielder who could handle multiple positions. He spent the bulk of his career with the Toronto Blue Jays, where he posted a respectable .267/.322/.370 slash line during the 2022 season — his best full year in the majors. He’s always been more glove than bat, capable of playing second base, third base, and shortstop with reliable hands. But his offensive numbers with the Dodgers this year were not good enough to hold a roster spot, which is how we got to the DFA in the first place.

The timing here is hard to ignore. Kiké Hernández is now facing a significant absence after his oblique MRI revealed a tear that could sideline him for six to eight weeks. DJ Stewart is dealing with a left foot injury that isn’t responding to treatment. When you start stacking up those losses, you need warm bodies who can play the infield, and Espinal fits that bill even if he’s not hitting.

I’ll be honest — this isn’t the kind of move that excites anyone. Espinal wasn’t producing when he was here, and a few days in Oklahoma City isn’t going to fix that. But the Dodgers are in a spot where they need roster flexibility and defensive versatility, and Espinal provides both. He’s a stopgap, and everyone involved knows it.

For the Dodgers, this is about managing the present while waiting for healthier days. The lineup depth that looked so strong on paper coming into the season has taken real hits, and moves like this — recalling a recently outrighted player — are how you keep the ship steady without making a panic trade. It’s not glamorous, but it’s practical. We’ll see if Espinal can do anything with this second chance to make the bat matter.

Source(s): Jack Harris (FantasyPros) | First reported: May 29, 2026 10:21 PM UTC

God Bless and Go Dodgers