The Arizona Diamondbacks have signed veteran infielder Santiago Espinal to a minor-league contract and assigned him to Triple-A Reno, adding experienced depth as questions linger around their infield.
Espinal, 31, becomes the third organization for the 2022 All-Star this season. He appeared in 36 games across two stints with the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier in 2026, batting .268 with one home run and seven RBI in 60 plate appearances.
He started regularly at both second and third base before being designated for assignment when Tommy Edman returned from injury. After electing free agency, he signed a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers and hit .262 with six RBI in 11 games at Triple-A Round Rock before his release in late July.
The move comes as Arizona deals with infield instability. Second baseman Ketel Marte was placed on the restricted list, creating uncertainty about his return, while third baseman Nolan Arenado recently missed time with an intercostal issue.
Espinal offers a contact-oriented bat and reliable glove at both second and third, making him a logical depth piece who could be called up if needed.
A native of Santiago, Dominican Republic, Espinal was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 10th round in 2016 out of Miami Dade College.
He debuted with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2020 and broke out in 2022, earning an All-Star nod as a replacement for Jose Altuve after a strong first half that featured everyday playing time and standout defense.
That year, he hit .267 with seven homers and 51 RBI in 135 games. He also contributed in the postseason, going 4-for-6 across two playoff games with Toronto.
After four seasons in Toronto, Espinal spent 2024-25 with the Cincinnati Reds before joining the Dodgers this year. In 614 career MLB games, he owns a .261 average, 21 home runs, 167 RBI and 28 stolen bases. He has shown versatility, appearing at second, third and first base.
At Triple-A Reno, Espinal will look to stay sharp and position himself for a potential September call-up or injury replacement.
For a Diamondbacks team navigating late-season roster questions, the former All-Star provides a low-risk, high-familiarity option who has proven he can handle major league innings when given the chance.
Whether he reaches Arizona before the season ends will depend on how the infield situation unfolds, but his addition immediately bolsters organizational depth.
