Diamondbacks sign former Dodgers utility infielder who overstayed his welcome in LA

Before there was the mysterious injury for Edwin Diaz or Kyle Tucker's notable struggles at Dodger Stadium, one of the biggest problems the Los Angeles Dodgers faced was at second base. Tommy Edman began the season on the IL, and with Kiké Hernandez suffering a hamstring strain upon his debut, it forced Santiago Espinal into a role of consequence for the Dodgers.

The injuries forced Espinal to receive regular plate appearances through the first month of the 2026 season, and they were abysmal. He collected only six hits through his first 34 plate appearances, with a wRC+ of 14. He was designated for assignment after that stretch, but Hernandez's injury led to a quick return.

He actually wasn't half bad during his second act in LA, stacking nine hits through 26 plate appearances with two extra-base hits. Still, his role became redundant once Edman returned and he was once again designated for assignment halfway through June.

It took some time before Espinal has found a new home, and will remain in the National League West. The 31-year-old infielder has inked a minor-league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Arizona is in need of infield depth, considering Nolan Arenado just returned from an intercostal injury, and a strange set of circumstances have followed second baseman Ketel Marte over the past week.

A former Dodgers lands in the middle of the Diamondbacks' drama with Ketel Marte

Marte didn't report to Fenway Park earlier this week when the Diamondbacks faced the Boston Red Sox, and he was placed on the restricted list. It took a meeting between the Diamondbacks' front office and Marte to determine that he was injured, and he was consequently removed from the restricted and placed on the 10-day IL with knee inflammation.

The Diamondbacks have suggested that Marte will play again for them this season, but the whole situation has become unpredictable.

If nothing else, having Espinal in the organization will give Arizona added depth. Of course, as his time with the Dodgers proved, he's best used when he's not used regularly. He's an ideal fill-in when a starter needs a day off their feet, but anything beyond that would be a reach.

As for the Dodgers, assuming health, infield depth isn't somethign they're short of at the moment. Edmand and Hernandez are healthy, and they have Hyeseong Kim as an emergency option in Triple-A.

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