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GOODYEAR, Ariz. –– The Dodgers’ Opening Day roster grew to become a bit of clearer Thursday, with supervisor Dave Roberts all however assuring former All-Star and present minor-league signing Santiago Espinal of creating the minimize when camp breaks later this month.
“(He has slot in) seamlessly,” Roberts stated. “It’d be exhausting to think about him not being on the crew.”
Espinal received’t have a giant position, more likely to be a utility possibility occupying the ultimate spot on the bench.
Nonetheless, his emergence this spring has been a nice shock, giving the Dodgers a Kiké Hernández-esque participant able to enjoying a number of positions defensively whereas Hernández recovers from offseason elbow surgical procedure.
An All-Star with the Blue Jays in 2022, Espinal had regressed into one of many least productive regulars within the majors during the last couple seasons, culminating in a career-worst 2025 marketing campaign with the Reds by which he hit .243 with a woeful 57 OPS+.
Nonetheless, he has swung a sizzling bat this spring, bettering to 12 for 19 after a two-homer, six-RBI show in Thursday’s sport towards the Reds at Goodyear Ballpark.
“That may be superb,” Espinal, 31, stated of probably making the Opening Day roster, in what can be his seventh MLB season. “I simply gotta let my work discuss for me. To date, that’s what I’m doing.”
Listed here are 4 different takeaways from Dodgers camp Thursday:
Muncy returns: After lacking the final a number of days out sick, Max Muncy returned to the Dodgers’ lineup with a bang, hitting a house run an at-bat earlier than Espinal’s first blast within the Dodgers’ four-run third inning. Thursday marked solely Muncy’s fourth look in Cactus League play. His residence run was his first extra-base hit.
Irvin will get crushed: Minor-league signing Cole Irvin has an out of doors shot of being on the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster, as both a multi-inning swingman or spot starter. However the left-handed pitcher didn’t assist his case in Thursday’s begin, yielding three two-run homers in his three innings.
Caught my eye: Like Espinal, Alex Name is predicted to be a job participant this 12 months, seemingly because the fourth outfielder on the roster. However the Dodgers nonetheless worth his at-bat high quality –– which he placed on show Thursday by going 2 for two with two walks and an RBI double.
Up subsequent: The Dodgers play their first night time sport of the spring Friday, internet hosting the Royals at 5:05 p.m. PT at Camelback Ranch.
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