Espinal split the 2019 season between New Hampshire and the Triple-ABuffalo Bisons,hitting a combined .287/.347/.393 with seven home runs and 71 RBI.[10][11][12] Espinal was added to the Blue Jays 40-man roster after the 2019 season[13] and on July 23,2020,he was added to the Blue Jays active roster to begin the 2020 season,which had been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[14] On July 25,2020,he made his MLB debut as the starting third baseman against the Tampa Bay Rays,going hitless in two at-bats.[15] Three days later,on July 28,Espinal got his first hit in the Major Leagues off of the Washington Nationals' Sam Freeman.[16] He made 26 appearances for the Blue Jays during his rookie campaign,hitting .267 with no home runs and six RBI in 26 games.[17]
On July 3,2021,Espinal hit his first career major league home run,a two-run shot off Rays reliever Matt Wisler at Sahlen Field in Buffalo.[18] Overall in 2021,Espinal batted .311/.376/.405 with two home runs,17 RBI,and six stolen bases in 92 games.[17] He led all qualifying AL third basemen with 16 total zone runs and a 3.13 range factor.[17]
Espinal began the 2022 season expecting to platoon at second base with Cavan Biggio but by mid-May was receiving acclaim for his impressive offensive numbers and game-changing defense while Biggio was optioned to Buffalo after going 1-for-23 in 13 games.[19][20] Blue Jays' General Manager Ross Atkins declared Espinal "an everyday player" after he was one of only five Blue Jays' players to appear in all of Toronto's first 17 games.[21] He was selected for the 2022 All-Star Game as a replacement for Jose Altuve.[22] In 135 games,he batted .267/.322/.370[17] and he had two hits,including a double,in the 2022 American League Wild Card Series.[23]
On January 13,2023,Espinal signed a one-year,$2.1 million contract with the Blue Jays,avoiding salary arbitration.[24] In 93 games during the 2023 season,he batted .248/.310/.335 with two home runs and 25 RBI.[25] He had two hits in two at-bats in the 2023 American League Wild Card Series as well.[26]
Cincinnati Reds
On March 20,2024,the Blue Jays traded Espinal to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for right-handed pitcher Chris McElvain.[27] He made 118 appearances for the Reds during the regular season,slashing .246/.295/.356 with nine home runs,45 RBI,and 11 stolen bases.[28]
Espinal played in 114 games for Cincinnati during the 2025 campaign,batting .243/.292/.282 with no home runs,16 RBI,and two stolen bases.[29] On October 31,he was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to the Triple-A Louisville Bats;he rejected the assignment and elected free agency the following day.[30]
Los Angeles Dodgers
On February 16,2026,Espinal signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.[31] On March 19,the Dodgers selected his contract and added him to their 40-man roster.[32]
Major League Development Integration Coach Brandon McDaniel
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