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.
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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: 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.
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Blue Jays' Santiago Espinal: May not require injured list
Rotowire
Espinal, who is out of the lineup Sunday against the Orioles with a hamstring injury, said he shouldn't need a trip to the injured list, Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star reports.
The 28-year-old exited Saturday's contest with a right hamstring issue, but it doesn't appear to be a serious injury. Even if available, Espinal isn't guaranteed to rejoin the starting nine within the next couple days since Toronto's position players are otherwise healthy.
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Blue Jays' Santiago Espinal: Exits early Saturday
Rotowire
Espinal exited Saturday's contest with the Orioles early with a right hamstring injury. He went 3-for-3 before leaving.
Espinal was forced out of the game in the top of the eighth inning with right leg discomfort, which is now understood to be hamstring related. Whit Merrifield replaced him at second base and will bat eighth for the remainder of the contest. More information on Espinal's status will likely be provided after the game.
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Blue Jays' Santiago Espinal: Getting start
Rotowire
Espinal is will start at second base and bat ninth Wednesday against the Yankees.
With Whit Merrifield covering left field Wednesday while Kevin Kiermaier (illness) gets the night off, the keystone is opened up for Espinal. The 28-year-old infielder has put up a woeful .477 OPS across 71 plate appearances this season.
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Blue Jays' Santiago Espinal: Back in lineup Wednesday
Rotowire
Espinal (wrist) is starting at second base and batting ninth Wednesday versus the White Sox.
After suffering a right wrist contusion Saturday when he was hit by a Gerrit Cole fastball, Espinal had been available off the bench for both of the Blue Jays' first two games this week against the White Sox but went unused. He'll now get the chance to re-enter the lineup, as Whit Merrifield will moves from the infield to left field while Kevin Kiermaier gets the afternoon off.
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Blue Jays' Santiago Espinal: Available off bench
Rotowire
Espinal (wrist) was available off the bench for the Blue Jays during Monday's win over the White Sox, MLB.com reports.
Espinal had to exit Saturday's game versus the Yankees after being hit on the right wrist by a pitch, but tests came back negative and he's been cleared to play. The infielder is off to a 4-for-35 start at the plate this season.
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Blue Jays' Santiago Espinal: Requires more testing
Rotowire
Manager John Schneider said Espinal (wrist) will undergo additional medical testing Monday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Espinal had X-rays come back negative on his bruised right wrist after being hit by a pitch Saturday, but more medical testing is still necessary. The 28-year-old should still be considered day-to-day but seems unlikely to be available for Monday's series opener versus the White Sox.
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Blue Jays' Santiago Espinal: X-rays negative on wrist
Rotowire
Espinal is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Yankees, but X-rays on his bruised right wrist returned negative, Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star reports.
Espinal was fortunate to avoid any structural damage to his wrist after being hit by a pitch in Saturday's 3-2 loss, but he may be down for a day or two while he waits for the bruising to subside. The Blue Jays still have Cavan Biggio on hand as a utility infielder if Espinal isn't available off the bench.
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Blue Jays' Santiago Espinal: Undergoing tests on wrist
Rotowire
Espinal was diagnosed with a right wrist contusion after getting hit by a pitch Saturday against the Yankees and is undergoing further evaluation.
The Gerrit Cole fastball forced Espinal to exit the game, and depending on the results of the tests, it could force him to miss some time. Cavan Biggio would be in line for an expanded role if that happens.
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Blue Jays' Santiago Espinal: Exits after pitch hits hand
Rotowire
Espinal left Saturday's game against the Yankees after getting hit on the right hand or wrist, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Espinal was struck by a Gerrit Cole fastball and left the game in obvious pain. Cavan Biggio replaced him as a pinch runner and could see more at-bats as Toronto's top utility infielder if Espinal is forced to miss time.
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Blue Jays' Santiago Espinal: Hits homer as replacement
Rotowire
Espinal went 1-for-1 with a solo home run in Monday's 9-2 loss against Houston.
Espinal replaced Bo Bichette at shortstop in the bottom of the seventh, and he hit his first homer of the season in the top of the eighth. It was only the third hit this season for the backup middle infielder, who's appeared in just 10 of Toronto's 17 games.
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Blue Jays' Santiago Espinal: Sitting out Monday
Rotowire
Espinal is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Astros.
Espinal had started in four of the past five games, but playing time could be harder to come by in the future while Toronto has all of its key position players at full strength. Moreover, Espinal hasn't helped his case for continuing to earn more work in the infield over the likes of Whit Merrifield and Cavan Biggio by getting off to a miserable start to the season at the plate. Through 33 plate appearances this season, the 2022 All-Star is slashing .065/.121/.065.
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Blue Jays' Santiago Espinal: Added to lineup Thursday
Rotowire
Espinal has been added to the Blue Jays' lineup Thursday against the Tigers.
He will start at third base and bat eighth versus the Tigers and right-hander Spencer Turnbull. Matt Chapman was scratched before first pitch due to a viral illness.
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Blue Jays' Santiago Espinal: Gets first start of 2023
Rotowire
Espinal is hitting ninth and playing second base for Sunday's contest against St. Louis, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
It's the first start of the season for Espinal, and it's no surprise it comes against a left-hander in Jordan Montgomery as he's handled southpaws well over his brief career. Whit Merrifield is playing left with Espinal at the keystone, while Kevin Kiermaier gets a day of rest.
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Blue Jays' Santiago Espinal: Swipes two bags Sunday
Rotowire
Espinal went 2-for-3 with a run scored, an RBI and two stolen bases in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.
Getting the start at second base and batting sixth, Espinal continued a strong start to his spring that's seen him go 7-for-14 at the plate with a homer and three steals. The 28-year-old is expected to begin the season in a bench role with Whit Merrifield shifting to second base, but if Merrifield's quad injury lingers over the next few weeks, Espinal could find himself in the Opening Day lineup.
