Los Angeles Dodgers utility player Tommy Edman will begin the season on the injured list following surgery to address ongoing issues with his right ankle. While the news is a setback for both Edman and the team, both he and manager Dave Roberts emphasize a cautious approach to his recovery, prioritizing long-term health over a potentially premature return.
Edman, , experienced ankle problems throughout the season, requiring two separate stints on the injured list. The surgery, performed in November, involved ligament repair and the removal of bone spurs. He had previously experienced a period of relative health in his ankle during , achieving an .818 OPS and hitting eight home runs before the issues resurfaced.
“Opening Day was going to be a really aggressive goal, just in case it happened to heal/recover faster than we expected it to,” Edman stated from spring training. “I think everything is based on like past instances with this kind of surgery. I think I’ve hit every checkpoint along the way in terms of being 12 weeks out at this point, 14 weeks, whatever I’m at at this point. So yeah, I feel like I’m on schedule with that, just kind of see how it goes with each step along the way.”
The key to Edman’s successful return, he explained, will be regaining the ability to move explosively and change direction without hesitation. “I think it all comes back to like the first step,” he said. “Just feeling like I can be explosive off the ball and not feel hesitant at all about getting up to top speed. And then also being able to cut at top speed, too, which is kind of the base running aspect of that.” He has been progressing through a running progression, which has presented the most significant challenge in his rehabilitation thus far.
Manager Dave Roberts echoed Edman’s sentiment, emphasizing a methodical approach to his recovery. “Each day, there’s been progress,” Roberts said. “It takes a while to get your body into baseball shape, so we’re not going to rush it. We want to put him in the best position.” Roberts confirmed Edman has been taking swings from both sides of the plate and has been participating in light jogging and skipping drills.
Impact on the Dodgers Infield
Edman’s absence at the start of the season creates a vacancy at second base and adds flexibility concerns in the outfield. Since joining the Dodgers in , Edman has demonstrated versatility, playing center field, shortstop, second base and third base. His ability to contribute at multiple positions will be missed while he recovers.
The Dodgers have several players vying for playing time in the infield, including Miguel Rojas, Hyeseong Kim, Alex Freeland, and recently signed Santiago Espinal. Rojas and Espinal bring significant experience, while Kim and Freeland are younger players looking to establish themselves. Kim expressed his desire to start at second base on Opening Day, stating, “As a baseball player, it’s something I’ve always dreamed of, to start on an Opening Day roster at second base. That’s why I worked hard in the offseason for it.”
The Dodgers’ depth allows them to navigate Edman’s absence without significantly compromising their roster. The team acquired Edman in a three-team trade with the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago White Sox, and he has contributed , hitting .229 with 19 home runs and 69 RBIs over 134 games. While the team hopes for improved consistency at the plate, his versatility has been a valuable asset.
Edman’s previous ankle issues date back to the season, and he was on the injured list at the time of the trade that brought him to Los Angeles. He experienced further aggravation of the injury during games against the New York Mets and Boston Red Sox in and , respectively. A five-week period of rest late in the season proved insufficient to fully resolve the problem, leading to the decision to undergo surgery.
The Dodgers are prioritizing Edman’s long-term health, recognizing the importance of a fully recovered player for their pursuit of a third consecutive World Series title. While a firm timetable for his return has not been established, the team will continue to monitor his progress and adjust his rehabilitation plan accordingly.
