Santiago

Espinal

That was the expectation all along after Muncy exited Thursday’s game following a violent collision with Ildemaro Vargas at first base. Fortunately, he avoided any serious injuries. The 35-year-old slugger is expected to return to the Dodgers’ lineup on Saturday. Santiago Espinal will start in his place at third base and bat ninth against Angels’ left-hander Reid Detmers on Friday evening.

Just one day after Espinal was sent outright to Triple-A Oklahoma City, he rejoins the Dodgers to replace the slumping Hyeseong Kim. Espinal will once again serve in a reserve infielder role and can be ignored for fantasy purposes.

Espinal had been designated for assignment earlier in the week. He passed through waivers unclaimed though and has accepted his outright assignment. He’ll continue to serve as extra infield depth for the Dodgers at the Triple-A level.

Espinal loses his roster spot with Enrique Hernández returning from the injured list after hitting just .220 (9-for-41) with one homer and four RBI in 44 plate appearances over 26 games.. The 31-year-old was a surprise addition to Los Angeles’ season-opening roster as a non-roster invitee during spring training. He’s bounced around the last couple years as a bench infielder.

The positive news is that X-rays came back negative for any fractures after Muncy was hit by a 95-mph sinker off his right wrist during Friday’s series opener. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters afterwards that he’ll receive a couple days off to rest and recover, but it sounds like he managed to avoid serious injury. It’ll be Santiago Espinal taking over at third base this weekend.

Espinal and Mookie Betts hit back-to-back homers off Robbie Ray in the third inning. Espinal went 451 plate appearances in between homers (417 as a Red, 34 as a Dodger), with his last coming on Aug. 30, 2024. He survived the return of Betts from the IL this week, but there’s the chance the Dodgers could give him the boot when Enrique Hernández is activated, which will likely happen on May 23. If he survives over Hyeseong Kim then, he’d still be in line to go if everyone is healthy once Tommy Edman returns, assuming that Tommy Edman returns.

The 28-year-old Ward, who was hitting .328/.432/.588 with four homers for Triple-A Oklahoma City, deserves a shot, but it’s hard to see him winding up with any sort of significant role on the Dodgers unless an outfielder is hurt. If there’s no injury, Santiago Espinal would be the obvious choice to go to make room for Ward. He’s just 2-for-14 this season.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts continues mixing things up with Mookie Betts (oblique) on the injured list, moving Hernández up to the cleanup spot to face Mets southpaw David Peterson. Miguel Rojas and Santiago Espinal are also on the lineup card with lefties Hyeseong Kim and Alex Freeland riding the bench.

Kim entered the spring as the favorite to start at second base while Tommy Edman was sidelined, so this one comes as a major surprise, especially after he hit .407 (11-for-27) with a homer, six RBI and five stolen bases during Cactus League play. Santiago Espinal and Alex Freeland are expected to function in a platoon at the position now that Kim has been demoted.

Espinal has officially made Los Angeles’ season-opening roster as a reserve infielder. The 31-year-old journeyman has looked rejuvenated this spring, hitting .389 (14-for-36) with two homers, 13 RBI and one steal in 15 Cactus League contests. He’ll help solidify second base along with speedster Hyseseong Kim while Tommy Edman (ankle) is on the injured list to open the season. He can be safely ignored for fantasy purposes.