After making the most of his limited opportunities in the Majors, Edwin Ríos was expected to take a step forward last year with the Los Angeles Dodgers. That ultimately didn’t happen as he struggled out of the gate before landing on the 10-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation.
Ríos wound up undergoing season-ending surgery to repair a partially torn labrum in his right shoulder and vowed to come back stronger for the 2022 season.
The 28-year-old impressed during Spring Training and earned a spot on the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster. “It’s kind of a surreal moment,” Rios said at the time.
“And you know you always have these expectations. You have had these plans and you plan for things to happen a certain way and sometimes that doesn’t happen.
“But to be able to do what I did this offseason with the medical staff, the people back home and being on that opening roster was was a big thing for me and my family and we loved every bit of it.”
Ríos was initially limited to bench opportunities but continued to thrive and eventually received more playing time when Max Muncy was placed on the injured list.
Ríos’ momentum unfortunately came to a halt in June when he sustained a significant hamstring strain. He was sidelined for nearly two months before being optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City after completing a rehab assignment.
Ríos never returned to the Majors and finished the year with a .244/.293/.500 batting line with seven home runs, 17 RBI and a 120 wRC+ in 27 games. He hit .259/.339/.492 with 17 doubles, nine home runs and 39 RBI in 48 games for Oklahoma City.
Edwin Ríos’ 2022 highlight
Ríos enjoyed his best performance of the 2022 season on May 10 when he went 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBI against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park.
2023 outlook
Ríos was one of three players the Dodgers non-tendered at the start of the offseason, which came as a mild surprise. He had been poised to go through the salary arbitration process for the first time in his career.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said the decision to non-tender Ríos stemmed from the organization having a plethora of left-handed hitters on their 40-man roster.
Given the power potential he displayed in parts of four seasons with the Dodgers, it would not be surprising if Ríos signs a Major League contract this offseason. He at the very least should be able to land a Minor League deal that includes an invitation to big league camp for 2023 Spring Training.
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