Espinal went 3-for-4 with a home run and two total RBI in Tuesday's 8-1 victory over the Phillies.
After picking up a pair of base hits earlier in the game, Espinal delivered the final blow in Cincinnati's 8-1 victory, smacking a solo home run off Ricardo Pinto in the eighth inning, his first of the season. It's just the second multi-hit game of the year for the 29-year-old Espinal -- he'd been stuck in a 1-for-19 slump over his previous seven contests. Overall, he's slashing .178/.264/.267 with seven RBI, three runs scored and three stolen bases across 17 games. While Espinal's performance Tuesday was encouraging, he'll likely retreat to a bench role when Jonathan India (illness) is ready to return.
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Reds' Santiago Espinal: Covering second base
Rotowire
Espinal started at second base and went 0-for-2 with a walk in Sunday's 3-0 win over the Angels.
Espinal made a second consecutive start at second base, as Jonathan India (illness) was unavailable Sunday after being removed from Saturday's contest. Espinal is slashing .128/.234/.154 with five RBI, three steals and two runs scored over 15 games.
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Reds' Santiago Espinal: Starts at third base
Rotowire
Espinal made a second consecutive start at third base in place of an unavailable Jeimer Candelario (illness) on Wednesday and went 0-for-3 in a 5-1 loss to the Mariners.
Espinal is 0-for-6 in the two starts and hitless over his last eight at-bats. With a scheduled day off Thursday, Candelario could be ready to go Friday at home against the Angels.
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Reds' Santiago Espinal: Delivers three runs in win
Rotowire
Espinal started at third base and went 2-for-4 with three RBI in Friday's 11-1 win over the White Sox.
Espinal delivered one run on a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning then put the coda on the game with a two-run single in the ninth. He's typically in the lineup against left-handers but made his first start against a righty Friday, filling in for a slumping Jeimer Candelario. Both of Espinal's hits Friday were off lefties.
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Reds' Santiago Espinal: Starts at second base
Rotowire
Espinal started at second base and went 1-for-3 with an RBI, a stolen base and a run scored in Monday's 10-8 win over Milwaukee.
Espinal was inserted to the starting lineup after Jonathan India (leg) was scratched. Cincinnati manager David Bell does not view India's injury as significant. Espinal has started three of the last four games, with all of those coming against left-handers.
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Reds' Santiago Espinal: Starts at third base
Rotowire
Espinal started at third base and went 0-for-3 with a walk and stolen base in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Mets.
Jeimer Candelario served as the designated hitter after leaving Wednesday's game with a sore elbow. It's unclear if Candelario will be limited to DH duties, but if so, Espinal could fill in at third base. He's expected to slot in somewhere anytime the Reds are facing a left-hander. Espinal is 1-for-10 with two walks and two steals through four games (three starts).
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Reds' Santiago Espinal: Fills in at third base
Rotowire
Espinal entered Wednesday's 4-1 win over Philadelphia after third baseman Jeimer Candelario (elbow) was removed from the game.
Candelario felt elbow soreness during an eighth-inning at-bat and was replaced in the field by Espinal for the final inning. Candelario told Mark Sheldon of MLB.com that he was feeling better following the game. He'll be checked out before Friday's game against the Mets, and pending that evaluation, Espinal could start at third base.
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Reds' Santiago Espinal: Starts at second base
Rotowire
Espinal started at second base and went 1-for-3 with a stolen base in Saturday's 7-6 loss to the Nationals.
Espinal moved into the starting lineup for the first time during the regular season, slotting in against a left-hander. Jonathan India, who handled the keystone for the first game when a right-hander was on the mound, moved to DH. Those two are expected to lock down the position while Matt McLain (shoulder) is on the 60-day injured list.
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Reds' Santiago Espinal: Makes debut for Reds
Rotowire
Espinal started at second base and went 1-for-3 with an RBI in Saturday's spring game against the Rockies.
Espinal made his first appearance since Cincinnati acquired him from Toronto last Wednesday. The infielder provides insurance in an infield that will be missing two projected starters at second and third base when the regular season begins.
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Reds' Santiago Espinal: Shipped to Cincinnati
Rotowire
The Blue Jays traded Espinal to the Reds on Wednesday in exchange for Chris McElvain.
With Matt McLain (shoulder) set to miss the opening portion of the season and Noelvi Marte suspended 80 games, the Reds will bring in Espinal to give their infield a bit more depth heading into Opening Day. Espinal slashed .248/.310/.335 across 254 plate appearances last season with the Blue Jays, and he will likely serve as the main backup to Jonathan India at second base in Cincinnati. His versatility may net him a few starts across the infield.
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Blue Jays' Santiago Espinal: Fighting for roster spot
Rotowire
Espinal went 1-for-2 with a double and two RBI in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.
The 29-year-old infielder is batting only .200 (4-for-20) this spring, but that masks a strong performance at the plate that also includes a 5:2 BB:K. Unfortunately for Espinal, one of his main competitors for a utility spot, Ernie Clement, has been on fire in camp, going 10-for-25 with two homers and zero strikeouts. Given the defensive flexibility already provided by Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Cavan Biggio and Davis Schneider, there probably isn't room for two more bench infielders on the 26-man roster, so Espinal will likely have to begin his season at Triple-A Buffalo and wait for injuries to open up a spot for him in the majors.
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Blue Jays' Santiago Espinal: Agrees to terms
Rotowire
Espinal agreed to a one-year, $2.725 million deal with the Blue Jays on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
The 29-year-old utility player saw 20-plus games at second base and third base last season while playing 16 games at shortstop. His defensive versatility makes him more valuable in real life than in fantasy.
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Blue Jays' Santiago Espinal: Hits bench Sunday
Rotowire
Espinal is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rockies.
Espinal went 6-for-10 with a double and four RBI while starting in three of the past four games at third base, but he'll head to the bench Sunday while Cavan Biggio logs a start at the hot corner. The Blue Jays should have extra playing time available for Espinal on the left side of the infield while both Matt Chapman (finger) and Bo Bichette (quadricep) are on the injured list.
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Blue Jays' Santiago Espinal: Returns to bench
Rotowire
Espinal is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds.
Espinal went 4-for-21 with three runs and two RBI while starting in each of the past six games, but he appears primed to see fewer opportunities moving forward while he transitions back into a utility role. Bo Bichette, Kevin Kiermaier, Matt Chapman and George Springer have all returned from recent injury-related absences, bringing the Toronto lineup back to full strength.
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Blue Jays' Santiago Espinal: Nabs fourth straight start
Rotowire
Espinal will start at third base and bat eighth in Wednesday's game against the Phillies.
Espinal will stick in the lineup for the fourth game in a row, with each of his last three starts now coming at third base in place of the injured Matt Chapman (finger). Though he's held his own over the last three games with three hits, two RBI and two runs over 11 at-bats, Espinal will likely be headed back to a utility role in the near future, assuming Chapman is able to avoid a trip to the injured list.
Blue Jays' Santiago Espinal: Activated from injured list
Rotowire
Espinal (hamstring) was activated from the 10-day injured list Tuesday.
Espinal has been sidelined since late May because of a right hamstring strain but got through a few rehab games with no problems. He will return to a utility infielder role with the Blue Jays.
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Blue Jays' Santiago Espinal: Third rehab game Saturday
Rotowire
Espinal (hamstring) is slated for a third rehab game Saturday with Low-A Dunedin, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Espinal has the night off Friday after going 2-for-6 with a double in his first two rehab games Wednesday and Thursday. On the shelf since May 20 due to a right hamstring strain, the 28-year-old utility infielder should be ready to return to the Blue Jays' active roster next week.
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Blue Jays' Santiago Espinal: Takes live batting practice
Rotowire
Espinal (hamstring) took live batting practice Friday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Espinal is working out at the Blue Jays' player development complex in Florida as he recovers from the right hamstring strain he suffered May 20 against the Orioles. He still has a lot of hurdles to clear, including agility drills and running, but the 28-year-old could feasibly be ready to return to Toronto's active roster in the early part of June.
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Blue Jays' Santiago Espinal: Placed on 10-day IL
Rotowire
Espinal was placed on the 10-day injured list by the Blue Jays on Monday with a right hamstring inflammation, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.
There had been hope Espinal would avoid the IL and the fact that the Jays are calling it inflammation and not a strain would seem to suggest they're just being extra cautious. Otto Lopez is up to take Espinal's roster spot.
