The Los Angeles Dodgers were faced with a difficult roster decision on Monday.
Three-time World Series champion Kiké Hernández is returning from elbow surgery to make his season debut in the series opener against the Colorado Rockies on Monday. To make room for Hernández on the roster, the Dodgers either had to designate Santiago Espinal for assignment, option Hyeseong Kim to Triple-A or place Max Muncy on the injured list.
The Dodgers ultimately decided to designate Espinal for assignment, the team announced on social media on Monday.
The Dodgers reinstated IF/OF Kiké Hernández from the injured list and designated IF/OF Santiago Espinal for assignment.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 25, 2026
Why Was Espinal DFA’d?
Espinal and Kim have been on the chopping block twice now. The first was when shortstop Mookie Betts was returning from the injured list, but the Dodgers decided to option Alex Freeland and keep Espinal and Kim on the roster.
Hernández’s return forced the Dodgers to make another tough roster decision and put Espinal and Kim at risk of losing their spot on the roster. Designating Espinal for assignment makes the most sense because, like Hernández, Espinal bats right-handed and primarily plays third and second base.
Meanwhile, Kim bats left-handed and plays second base and shortstop. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he expects Hernández to play third base when he returns.
“I see Kiké at third [base], obviously he’s gonna play some second [base] because you just don’t know what’s gonna happen, you just never know what’s gonna happen, what could happen,” Roberts said. “I see him playing some outfield too, just to kind of keep his skills sharp.”
At the plate, Espinal went 9-for-41 with a .238 on-base percentage, one home run and four RBIs across 26 games. He joined the Dodgers on a minor league contract in February.
Photo Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
The post Dodgers DFA Santiago Espinal As Kiké Hernández Returns for Season Debut appeared first on LA Sports Report.