Dodgers Re-Sign Santiago Espinal Amid Injury: A long season is never easy in the game of baseball, and that’s exactly the reality the Los Angeles Dodgers are in at this time. Given the number of injuries and the need to make changes to the lineup, the club has decided to add Santiago Espinal, the versatile infielder/outfielder, to its roster.
It’s a move that arrives at a time when the Dodgers have a host of injury concerns and need some depth to keep their season going. Although Espinal is not a flashy addition, his versatility and experience may prove to be useful when the chips are down.
Dodgers Continue to Battle Injury Problems
The Dodgers announced multiple changes to the roster as a number of players continue to get hurt. A big change was the addition of outfielder Teoscar Hernández to the injured list with a hamstring strain.
The club also moved up star pitcher Blake Snell from the 15-day IL to the 60-day IL. Snell recently suffered a NanoScope elbow procedure that got him loose bodies in his elbow and he will be sidelined until post-All-Star Break. The setbacks have caused the Dodgers to make adjustments as they try to stay strong throughout the season.
Santiago Espinal is returning to LA
Santiago Espinal, who was dropped from the Dodgers’ list just days ago, is back with the team. Enrique Hernández was returning from the injury and was the reason behind Espinal losing his spot. That all suddenly changed when Hernández got a big oblique and got re-added to the injured list.
Now that Espinal has passed waivers and is a free agent, he is back with the Dodgers, where he will be a versatile, veteran option off the bench.
His return is a good reminder that things can move quickly in Major League Baseball, particularly when injuries take their toll.
Hyeseong Kim Sent to Triple-A
The Dodgers are giving Hyeseong Kim a shot at Triple-A to make room on the major league roster. Kim had potential at the beginning of the year and was doing well in the first couple of months. He once had a solid offensive line that indicated he was making good in the big leagues.
But his output has slowed significantly over the past few weeks. He’s not been getting regular looks at the big league level since the start of May, when his offensive numbers have dropped.
The Dodgers don’t seem to want him to stay in a niche on the bench, but rather to get more playing time at Triple-A. This kind of trade is definitely more of a long-term solution rather than a short-term fix for a player who will be under the team’s control for years to come.
Espinal is a perfect fit for the Dodgers
Espinal’s offensive figures haven’t been too spectacular this season, but he’s worth more than his bat. His versatility to perform multiple roles is one of his biggest assets. He has played in all the corner outfield positions at some point in his career, as well as all the infield positions.
That’s when the flexibility really comes in handy when the team is constantly changing lineups and dealing with injuries. The Dodgers will have a lot of uses for Espinal, from defence to pinch running at various spots to finishing out the game.
Having a player who can play a variety of roles for a club in a tough injury situation can be more important than just production on the offence.
Looking Ahead
The Dodgers have historically been one of the most accomplished squads in baseball, but no team is so good that injuries can’t take a toll.
The return of Santiago Espinal gives the organisation a reliable and flexible addition who will help them to balance their squad today. In the meantime, Hyeseong Kim will get a chance to build his confidence and further develop in the Triple-A.
The Dodgers will hope that their injured stars come back healthy as the season proceeds and the supporting cast takes on more responsibilities in this critical time of the season.
FAQs
Why did the Dodgers re-sign Santiago Espinal?
The Dodgers have re-signed Santiago Espinal to bolster their roster and give them some much-needed versatility after several key players went down, most notably Enrique Hernández and Teoscar Hernández.
Why has Hyeseong Kim been sent to Triple-A?
After dropping in offensive production, Kim was optioned to Triple-A to get regular playing time and further develop.
So, Blake Snell, what happened to him?
Blake Snell, who had been placed on the injured list due to his elbow pain, has been moved to the 60-day injured list after undergoing a NanoScope elbow procedure to remove loose bodies from his elbow.
Will Santiago Espinal start?
Primarily, Espinal is expected to be a bench player who can fill in on several positions when necessary.
What would there be to lose if Kim weren’t around?
Alex Freeland will have more opportunities and may be playing more at second base.
Disclaimer: The information in this article has come from publicly available team updates and announcements. Statuses and injuries may be updated pending the release of new information, as may be roster changes. Follow the Los Angeles Dodgers’ official channels for the most up-to-date information.
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