Raynel Espinal

Raynel Joseph Espinal (born October 6, 1991) is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox and Cincinnati Reds. He has also played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows. Listed at and , he throws and bats right-handed.

Professional career New York Yankees Espinal began his professional career with the New York Yankees organization, first playing for the Dominican Summer League Yankees in 2013 and 2014.

Boston Red Sox The Red Sox selected Espinal from the Yankees in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft after the 2019 season. He did not pitch during 2020, due to cancellation of the minor-league season, then began the 2021 season in Triple-A with the Worcester Red Sox. He made his MLB debut that day, pitching in relief against the Tampa Bay Rays. He was returned to Worcester the next day and removed from the 40-man roster. Worcester named Espinal their pitcher of the year, having gone 11–4 with a 3.55 ERA in Triple-A. Espinal became a free agent following the 2021 season.

San Francisco Giants On February 5, 2022, Espinal signed a minor-league contract with the San Francisco Giants. He began the season in Triple-A with the Sacramento River Cats of the Pacific Coast League. In two appearances, he surrendered 6 runs on 6 hits with 4 strikeouts in innings pitched. Espinal was released by the Cubs organization on August 16.

Cincinnati Reds On August 18, 2022, Espinal signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds organization. He had his contract selected to the major league roster on September 11. In 2 appearances for the Reds, Espinal allowed 4 runs on 6 hits with 5 strikeouts in innings of work. On October 15, Espinal was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to the Triple–A Louisville Bats. He elected free agency following the season on November 10.

Tokyo Yakult Swallows On December 5, 2022, Espinal signed with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of Nippon Professional Baseball. Espinal made only 3 appearances for the team in 2023, logging a 5.40 ERA with 4 strikeouts in 5.0 innings of work. On August 28, 2023, Espinal was released by the Swallows.

Rieleros de Aguascalientes On February 20, 2024, Espinal signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. However, prior to the season on April 11, Espinal's contract was purchased by the Rieleros de Aguascalientes of the Mexican League. In 6 games (4 starts), he struggled to an 0–4 record and 11.91 ERA with 7 strikeouts across innings pitched. On June 19, Espinal was released by Aguascalientes.

Gastonia Ghost Peppers On April 21, 2025, Espinal signed with the Gastonia Ghost Peppers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. In 5 starts 17.1 innings he went 0-0 with a 6.75 ERA and 20 strikeouts. He became a free agent following the season.

International career Espinal pitched for the Dominican Republic national baseball team during qualification for the 2020 Summer Olympics.