Espinal went 2-for-2 with a pair of home runs and six RBI in Thursday's Cactus League loss to Cincinnati.

EDGE Analysis

Espinal got the scoring started quietly in the first inning with a sacrifice fly, then produced much louder output with a solo homer in the third frame and a three-run blast in the fourth. He finished off his big contest with another sacrifice fly in the fifth. The veteran utility man is now slashing an absurd .625/.636/1.125 over seven games this spring. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts suggested prior to Thursday's contest that Espinal is likely to make the team's Opening Day roster, and if that's indeed the case, he'll likely serve in a super-utility role similar to what Enrique Hernandez -- who will begin the campaign on the 60-day IL due to an elbow injury -- typically logs. With that being said, Espinal is a career .261 hitter with just 20 home runs across 579 regular-season contests, so his power display Thursday shouldn't lead to expectation that he's suddenly going to be a major source of homers.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated Thursday that Espinal is likely to make the Opening Day roster, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Espinal was signed to a minor-league deal with a camp invite in February and has fit in "seamlessly" with the team, per Roberts. With Tommy Edman (ankle) and Enrique Hernandez (elbow) slated to open the year on the injured list, Espinal provides the defensive versatility Roberts seeks. The 31-year-old could see some starts at second base while Edman is out.

The Dodgers signed Espinal to a minor-league contract Monday that includes an invitation to spring training, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

He will likely begin the season at Triple-A Oklahoma City, but Espinal provides the Dodgers with some experienced infield depth while Tommy Edman (ankle) and Enrique Hernandez (elbow) are shelved. The 31-year-old slashed only .243/.292/.282 with zero home runs over 114 regular-season contests in 2025 with the Reds.

Espinal elected free agency Saturday, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

EDGE Analysis

After clearing waivers Friday, Espinal will now officially begin the offseason in search of his next opportunity. The 30-year-old infielder is coming off the worst offensive season of his career, having finished the regular season with just a .574 OPS across 328 plate appearances.

The Reds outrighted Espinal to Triple-A Louisville on Friday, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

EDGE Analysis

Espinal has the ability to decline the outright assignment and elect free agency, but it's uncertain whether he plans to exercise that right. The veteran infielder slashed only .243/.292/.282 with zero home runs over 114 regular-season games for the Reds this season.

Espinal started at second base and went 1-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored in Friday's 9-6 win over Philadelphia.

EDGE Analysis

Espinal, who was a prominent member of the third-base rotation while Noelvi Marte was on the 10-day injured list, was moved off the hot corner Friday with Marte's return. Espinal will return to a super-utility role, in which he could pop up at third base, second base, DH or a corner outfield slot. He's batting .242/.291/.287 with 14 RBI and two steals through 77 games.

Espinal is absent from the lineup for Monday's contest against the Yankees.

EDGE Analysis

For the third time over the Reds' last four games, Espinal will find himself on the bench. On the first two occasions Espinal sat, Gavin Lux started at third base, but Christian Encarnacion-Strand will occupy the hot corner Monday.

Espinal is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

After starting at third base in three of the past four games, Espinal appeared to have taken back primary duties from the struggling Christian Encarnacion-Strand, but both players will be left out of the lineup Sunday. Gavin Lux will step in at the hot corner, opening up the designated hitter spot for Tyler Stephenson, who gets a day off from catching.

Espinal is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.

EDGE Analysis

Espinal is on the bench for the second day in a row and appears to have shifted back into a utility role in the wake of Christian Encarnacion-Strand's return from the injured list. Espinal has gone just 1-for-29 over his last eight games and is slashing just .239/.296/.287 over 204 plate appearances on the season.

Espinal is not in the lineup for Monday's game versus the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

Espinal has been an everyday player for the Reds since late April but will get a day of rest for the series opener. Garrett Hampson will handle third base and bat ninth Monday.