Dodgers News: Dodgers Utility Weapon Tommy Edman Trending Toward Missing Opener
Los Angeles may open the season without its versatile infielder as his recovery timeline extends into the start of spring training
LOS ANGELES, CA—While the Los Angeles Dodgers were hoping to enter the 2026 Major League Baseball season with utilityman Tommy Edman’s ankle issues behind them, that appears not be the case as we approach spring training.
According to Katie Woo of The Athletic, it appears that the Dodgers are preparing to limit Edman this spring as the right-handed versatile fielder rehabbed from offseason ankle surgery, with the possibility of starting the regular season on the injured list.
Edman will be delayed in starting the spring as he recovers from a right ankle operation. There is a growing likelihood he will not be ready for Opening Day.
With the Dodgers’ signing of outfielder Kyle Tucker and the team likely holding on to veteran outfielder Teoscar Hernández, that would leave Andy Pages as the Dodgers’ everyday centerfield option for the 2026 season.
This, in turn, will allow Edman, a Gold Glove infielder, to remain at second base with the ability to also fill in at third base if needed.
Before being acquired by Los Angeles during the 2024 trade deadline, Edman’s time on the injured list was extended into August after reaggravating an ankle injury.
The past season, that same ankle forced Edman to miss a good chunk of the regular season, playing just 97 games before being “healthy” for October.
If Edman’s start to the 2026 season is delayed, that makes the Dodgers’ signing of infielder Andy Ibáńez make even more sense, as the former Detroit Tiger has experience playing all over the infield and can split reps at second base with Miguel Rojas until Edman returns.
Before the ankle injuries last season, Edman was on pace to have a career year at the plate, still finishing the campaign with a career-high 13 home runs (13) and 49 RBI, which was the third highest of his career.
Edman still has four years remaining on the five-year extension he signed last winter, and the team hopes that after the ankle surgery and rehab, the injury can be put to bed.
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