Tommy Edman is recovering from a debridement procedure on his right ankle that addressed the trouble he encountered in parts of the last two seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Edman didn’t make his 2024 debut until August, which came after the Dodgers acquired him in a three-team trade with the Cardinals and Chicago White Sox.
Edman finished the year healthy, but managed to play in only 97 games last season as his right ankle issues resurfaced. He was essentially limited to playing second base, which took away from his versatility.
Edman continues to make progress as he recently started taking batting practice again, but isn’t expected to play in any Cactus League games this spring, via Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
Tommy Edman has progressed far enough in his recovery from ankle surgery to take batting practice in the cage from both sides. But he is not expected to play in a game before the end of Cactus League play.
“He’s swinging from both sides. He’s running. Playing catch and all that stuff,” Roberts said. “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.”
While it’s encouraging that Edman has resumed some baseball activities, the Dodgers will continue to slow-play him until he is ready to return.
Edman said before the start of Spring Training that he wouldn’t force himself into action if his ankle isn’t completely back to full health.
“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.”
Dodgers’ options to replace Tommy Edman at second base
With Edman expected to begin the 2026 season on the injured list, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has mentioned Alex Freeland and Hyeseong Kim as candidates to fill in at second base. Santiago Espinal could also be an option if he makes the team as a non-roster invite.
Miguel Rojas should get some opportunities at second base as well, but he will mostly be used in his normal utility role.
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