Dodgers News: Tommy Edman Injury Update: Dodgers Star Progressing After Surgery
Dave Roberts says Tommy Edman is progressing in rehab after ankle surgery but remains unlikely to appear in Cactus League games.
GLENDALE, AZ—Injuries have not shied away from the Los Angeles Dodgers entering the 2026 Major League Baseball season, and one of the more significant players to be shelved is utilityman Tommy Edman.
Edman, 30, is set to miss the start of the regular season after undergoing right ankle surgery this past offseason to address the nagging ankle issues that have plagued him over the last two years in his time between the Dodgers and St. Louis Cardinals.
While Edman and the Dodgers left the door open to being ready for Opening Day, that is no longer the case. Edman’s role at second base is set to be filled by right-handed-hitting veteran utilityman Miguel Rojas, and a battle between Hyeseong Kim and Alex Freeland for the left-handed-hitter role in the lineup.
While Edman is unlikely to appear in a Cactus League game this spring, what progress has the 2024 NLCS MVP made in his rehab from that ankle surgery?
Well, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts provided us with some clarity on Edman earlier this week, stating that he has finally checked off another box in his rehab, taking batting practice from both sides and progressing in all other baseball activities.
“He’s swinging from both sides. He’s running. Playing catch and all that stuff. So he’s progressing nicely. Still obviously a ways away from playing in a game but it’s been really good to see his progression.”
Although Edman has resumed some baseball activities, the Dodgers will proceed carefully and accelerate his return only once he is fully prepared. Before Spring Training, Edman stated that he wouldn’t push himself into action unless his ankle had fully recovered.
“I think it all depends on how the progression goes along,” Edman said at DodgerFest. “I’m not putting that as a hard line in the sand. I am doing everything I can to be ready for Opening Day. “But if it comes around to that time and my ankle is 90%, not quite where I need it to be, I’m going to do my best to be patient with it and get it back to 100% and not deal with it for the rest of the year.”
Santiago Espinal Likely Making Opening Day Roster
While Hyeseong Kim and Alex Freeland battle it out for the role of left-handed hitter at second base to start the season in Edman’s absence, all signs are pointing to someone else taking advantage of the opening.
That someone is non-roster invitee Santagio Espinal, who, after a hot start to the spring, is expected to make the Opening Day roster per Dave Roberts.
Espinal has played his way into the conversation after going a combined 10-for-16 with two home run performances on Thursday in the Dodgers’ 14-13 loss to the Cincinnati Reds.
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