Dodgers News: Alex Freeland Seizing Dodgers Opportunity Amid Tommy Edman Injury
With Tommy Edman sidelined and Hyeseong Kim at the World Baseball Classic, Alex Freeland is getting an extended chance to prove he belongs on the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster.
GLENDALE, AZ—While many Major League Baseball players are away competing in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, this has opened the door for more playing time in spring training, including Alex Freeland of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Freeland, 24, made his MLB debut last season, filling in for the injured Max Muncy, showcasing some success but an overall shaky start to his pro-career, slashing .190/.292/.310 with a 73 wRC+ in 29 games.
Coming into this season, Freeland’s role seemed to be uncertain as the Dodgers’ top infield prospect had all proved there was nothing else to learn in Triple-A, but with how the roster had been constructed, there was no feasible spot for him until now.
In the wake of the delayed rehab for utilityman Tommy Edman, the Dodgers’ need for a left-handed-hitting second baseman has opened up, with Freeland and fellow OKC Comet Hyeseong Kim set to battle this spring for that role.
While Kim impressed at camp, hitting .462 with a 1.154 OPS, he is now away competing with Team Korea, opening yet more opportunities for Freeland to secure a spot on the Dodgers Opening Day roster.
That opportunity is present in the mind of Freeland as the young infielder explained in an interview with Jack Vita of the Los Angeles Times.
“Opportunity is present, so I’m trying to make the most of it,” Freeland said. “It sucks that Tommy’s not ready and he won’t be ready for the beginning of the season. He’s a big part of this team, so I wish him a super speedy recovery and I hope that he gets out there as quickly as possible. But yeah, with Hyeseong being gone, I am getting more reps at second and short, so I’m just trying to make the most of them.”
Freeland has struggled at the plate this spring, hitting .143 with four RBIs and a .625 OPS. However, the contact quality has been strong, with seven balls hit at 93.7 mph or harder, including four at 100+ mph.
Santiago Espoinal Likely Making Opening Day Roster
During the week, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated it was hard to envision newly signed utilityman Santiago Espinal not making the Dodgers’ 26-man roster out of camp, leaving just one final spot among Kim, Freeland, and possibly Nick Senzel.
With Kiké Hernández and Tommy out to start the season, Espinal’s emergence has been an early-season victory for Los Angeles. Still, when players start to return in the summer, it’ll be interesting to see what route the Dodgers go.
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