Overview
- Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said it is hard to imagine Espinal not making the team, praising how seamlessly he has fit in.
- Espinal homered twice with six RBIs against the Reds on Thursday and is 12-for-19 this spring with a four-game multi-hit streak and a 1.7+ OPS.
- Signed to a minor-league deal on Feb. 17, Espinal remains a non-roster invitee, so the Dodgers must complete a 40-man move before he can be activated, though one slot is currently open after Jack Suwinski was outrighted.
- Injuries to utility options Tommy Edman (ankle) and Kiké Hernández (elbow) are expected to start the season on the IL, increasing the need for a versatile defender.
- Roberts cited Espinal’s ability to cover second, third, first, short in a pinch and corner outfield, positioning him as a right-handed bench fit alongside options like Hyeseong Kim and Miguel Rojas while easing pressure on prospect Alex Freeland.