Diamondbacks sign veteran INF Santiago Espinal to minor league contract

The Arizona Diamondbacks signed veteran infielder Santiago Espinal to a minor league free agent contract Thursday and assigned him to Triple-A Reno.

The signing comes amid second baseman Ketel Marte’s absence from the team.

Espinal has six years of major league experience, including an All-Star appearance in 2022 with the Toronto Blue Jays.

The veteran infielder played 36 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers across two stints earlier this season. Espinal played 13 games at second base and 17 games at third. He slashed .268/.276/.375 with the Dodgers. Both of his tenures in L.A. came to a close after a starter returned from the injured list.

Additionally, Espinal has two games of productive playoff experience (4-for-6) with Toronto in 2022-23.

The 31-year-old was designated for assignment by the Dodgers on June 16 and spent a brief stint (July 17-28) with Triple-A Round Rock (Texas Rangers’ affiliate) before signing with the Diamondbacks.

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