CHARLESTON, WV (July 20, 2022) – The Charleston Dirty Birds announce that popular first baseman and Designated Hitter, Edwin Espinal is returning for the second half of the 2022 season. Espinal will make his 2022 debut for the Dirty Birds in their first game of the series against the Wild Health Genomes this Friday at Appalachian Power Park. 

Espinal returned to Charleston for the 2021 season after playing for the former West Virginia Power in 2014. Espinal had a productive first season as a Dirty Bird in 2021, slashing .307/.355/.444 while playing stellar defense at first base. Espinal was signed to the Dirty Birds’ opening day roster but in the time it took to get his VISA cleared, his contract was purchased by the Diablos Rojos del Mexico of the Mexican League before he could make his return to Charleston.  

“We have wanted Edwin on this team since day one and I am so glad he is finally making his way back to Charleston. In this second half, we need guys to knock the ball out of the park and be able to get those outs in the field. Edwin is the guy that can do that. Having Espinal back in a Dirty Birds uniform gets us one step closer to making playoffs” said Dirty Birds Manager, Billy Horn.  

The Dirty Birds will also be adding left-handed starting Pitcher, Luis Cruz to their roster. Cruz spent eight seasons in the Houston Astros organization with two of those seasons spent at his peak level in AAA in 2014 and 2015. Cruz comes to the Dirty Birds with a 4.19 career ERA.  

“Getting Espinal and Cruz on our roster is going to be game changing for us. They are pieces of the puzzle that our current roster has been missing and the baseball fans are going to love watching them play” said Horn. 

The Dirty Birds’ 2022 season is in full swing with mini plans and individual tickets on sale now. For more information, or to shop the Dirty Birds team store, visit www.dirtybirdsbaseball.com.  

The Charleston Dirty Birds are a member of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball - The first Partner League of Major League Baseball, a player gateway to the major leagues, and a leader in baseball innovation. ALPB has sent over 1,000 players to MLB organizations while drawing 44 million fans to its family friendly ballparks over its 24-year history. For more information visit www.atlanticleague.com