The Los Angeles Dodgers activated Tommy Edman from the 60-day injured list and designated Santiago Espinal for assignment to make room on their active and 40-man rosters.
Edman returns after undergoing right ankle surgery in the offseason that caused him to miss the start of the 2026 season. The recovery took longer than the Dodgers anticipated, but they wanted to remain more cautious, given that the ankle injury has nagged him for a few years.’
Edman is expected to play second base with the Dodgers primarily, but he will also see time at third base and in left field, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. They also plan to remain cautious with him, playing him roughly three to four games per week.
Even with their approach to easing Edman back in, there are no limitations on his ankle.
“From what I understand, not limited,” Roberts said. “He’s moving well, recovering well. We got him in the infield, we got him in the outfield, back to back, all that stuff.”
Edman will not be in the lineup on Tuesday, but he will get the start against Shane McClanahan on Wednesday. That makes sense given the Dodgers’ desire to ease him into the lineup, and Edman being significantly better against left-handed pitching than right-handers.
Edman began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on May 26 and spent the full 20 days permitted with them. During his 14 rehab games, Edman hit .275/.351/.392 with one double, one triple one home run, three RBI and 10 runs scored.
Last season, Edman appeared in 97 games, hitting .225/.274/.382 with an 81 wRC+ and 1.2 WAR. Across his two seasons with the Dodgers, the 31-year-old has hit .229/.280/.392 with 19 home runs, 69 RBI, 69 runs scored, an 85 wRC+ and 2 WAR.
Dodgers move on from Santiago Espinal
Espinal has now been designated for assignment by the Dodgers twice this season. Both times, it was to activate a utilityman from the 60-day IL, with the first being for Kiké Hernández.
Espinal is now on waivers, allowing another team to claim him or the Dodgers the opportunity to trade him. If he clears waivers, he can elect to become a free agent or accept a Minor League assignment to remain in the Dodgers organization.
The first time Espinal was designated for assignment, he cleared waivers and elected free agency. The Dodgers re-signed him shortly after due to various injuries to their position player group.
Espinal has hit .268/.276/.375 with three doubles, one home run and seven RBI in 36 games over his two stints with the Dodgers. He primarily played second base and third base, but also appeared in three games at first base.
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