Dodgers takeaways: Santiago Espinal in line for roster spot

GOODYEAR, Ariz. –– The Dodgers’ Opening Day roster became a little clearer Thursday, with manager Dave Roberts all but assuring former All-Star and current minor-league signing Santiago Espinal of making the cut when camp breaks later this month.

“(He has fit in) seamlessly,” Roberts said. “It’d be hard to imagine him not being on the team.”

Espinal won’t have a big role, likely to be a utility option occupying the final spot on the bench.

Former All-Star Santiago Espinal likely will break camp with the Dodgers. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Still, his emergence this spring has been a pleasant surprise, giving the Dodgers a Kiké Hernández-esque player capable of playing multiple positions defensively while Hernández recovers from offseason elbow surgery.

An All-Star with the Blue Jays in 2022, Espinal had regressed into one of the least productive regulars in the majors over the last couple seasons, culminating in a career-worst 2025 campaign with the Reds in which he hit .243 with a woeful 57 OPS+.

However, he has swung a hot bat this spring, improving to 12 for 19 after a two-homer, six-RBI display in Thursday’s game against the Reds at Goodyear Ballpark.

“That would be amazing,” Espinal, 31, said of potentially making the Opening Day roster, in what would be his seventh MLB season. “I just gotta let my work talk for me. So far, that’s what I’m doing.”

Here are four other takeaways from Dodgers camp Thursday:

Muncy returns: After missing the last several days out sick, Max Muncy returned to the Dodgers’ lineup with a bang, hitting a home run an at-bat before Espinal’s first blast in the Dodgers’ four-run third inning. Thursday marked only Muncy’s fourth appearance in Cactus League play. His home run was his first extra-base hit.

Irvin gets crushed: Minor-league signing Cole Irvin has an outside shot of being on the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster, as either a multi-inning swingman or spot starter. But the left-handed pitcher didn’t help his case in Thursday’s start, yielding three two-run homers in his three innings.

Caught my eye: Like Espinal, Alex Call is expected to be a role player this year, likely as the fourth outfielder on the roster. But the Dodgers still value his at-bat quality –– which he put on display Thursday by going 2 for 2 with two walks and an RBI double.

Up next: The Dodgers play their first night game of the spring Friday, hosting the Royals at 5:05 p.m. PT at Camelback Ranch.