Tommy Edman went 1-for-3 with a home run in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 10-5 win over the Cincinnati Reds in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series, but was removed after playing just five defensive innings at second base.
Edman has been dealing with lingering effects of a right ankle sprain he suffered earlier this season, and with the Dodgers holding a 6-0 lead at the time of his exit, manager Dave Roberts felt it was best to get the 30-year-old off his feet.
“It was just the ankle,” Roberts said after the game. “It’s something that’s going to be ongoing. Whenever we can get him off of it to get him ready to the next day, that’s what we’re going to do. So that was kind of the thought.”
The Wild Card Series opener was Edman’s first game in the field since last Wednesday, when he played center field against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He appeared in just one more regular season game after that, serving as the Dodgers’ designated hitter on Sept. 27.
Edman missed most of August with the sprained right ankle before returning to the Dodgers on Sept. 10.
There was hope that Edman spending time on the injured list earlier this year would allow for a full recovery and option to play center field. But with his ankle trouble having resurfaced, Edman will likely be limited to only playing second base during the postseason.
“It’s feeling better day by day,” he said after the Dodgers’ win over the Reds. “They saw an opportunity for me to get off my feet a little bit and feel fresh for tomorrow.
“A little bit of management at this point, but it’s feeling good overall.”
Tommy Edman did ‘best’ to compete
Although he was battling ankle discomfort, Edman still managed to hit his third career postseason home run in the Dodgers’ win over the Reds.
“Even though I don’t necessarily feel my best right now, it’s all about competing and finding a way to win the game,” Edman explained.
“Whatever you feel like before the game doesn’t really matter. It’s all about what happens in the box. I just try to do my best whenever I get down to that one moment.”
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