Monday, June 15

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The last time Tommy Edman took the field for the Dodgers was in last year's World Series. He had been dealing with a lingering right ankle injury all season, but he felt good enough to play center field for the final two games of the Fall Classic, opening up second base for eventual Game 7 hero Miguel Rojas.

The Dodgers and Edman knew that the utility man would miss a chunk of this season after he had surgery to repair his ankle not long after the World Series, but his recovery took a little longer than previously expected. Ramping up his running progression was the biggest obstacle to overcome, but once he was over the hump, his rehab picked up.

Midway through June, Edman's return is at last on the horizon, as he wrapped up his rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City over the weekend and is expected to be activated from the 60-day injured list this homestand, likely on Tuesday, per manager Dave Roberts.

Here's a look at what Edman's return means for the Dodgers:

A proven MLB bat at second base

Second base has been a platoon for the Dodgers all season long, with Alex Freeland and Hyeseong Kim serving as the primary left-handed-hitting options, and Miguel Rojas and Santiago Espinal complementing them from the right-hand side. 

Entering Sunday, the Dodgers had gotten a .656 OPS from their second basemen, lower than every position except shortstop (.645). It's unclear how much of an upgrade Edman will be -- he has a .717 career OPS, and .672 in his two seasons in L.A. -- but he brings more experience than Freeland and Kim, who combined for the most plate appearances by Dodgers second basemen this year.

It has also been a while since we've seen what a healthy Edman looks like. He's dealt with off-and-on discomfort in his ankle for years. During Spring Training, he said the last time he felt close to full health was the beginning of 2025, when he posted an .818 OPS in 30 games before tweaking the ankle for the first time that season. 

A true superutility option

Edman's best asset might just be his versatility, and even though the Dodgers have carried utility options in his absence, they've lacked a player who gives them real lineup flexibility. Kiké Hernández's return from the IL lasted just two games, and Santiago Espinal has yet to play the outfield as a Dodger.

While Edman should get the lion's share of the starts at second base, he can also spell Andy Pages, who has started all but two of the Dodgers' games in center field. Pages has been one of L.A.'s most impactful bats, giving the team little reason to want to leave him out of the lineup, but his production has dropped off some after a torrid start to the season. An occasional day off might help keep him fresh.

In addition to second base and center field, Edman also started games at third base and left field during his rehab assignment with Oklahoma City, giving the Dodgers additional options.

The championship core gets healthier

Similar to last year, the Dodgers are dealing with an extensive number of injuries. They're missing Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow in the rotation; Edwin Díaz and Evan Phillips in the bullpen; and Teoscar Hernández and Will Smith in the starting lineup. And that's not even naming everyone.

The Dodgers have hardly been close to full strength all season, and despite that, they've still been one of the best teams in the Majors. Their priority is being healthy in time for what they hope will be another deep postseason run, and getting Edman back this week is an encouraging step in the right direction.

"I think that’s one of the good things about the way the world has evolved, to where you do some things for mental health or your family and it’s not frowned upon that you care less about your job. That should be applicable to everyone. It’s good to feel like I can go and I don’t feel like I’m being judged because I’m going to celebrate my daughter. This is my fourth and last one. I’ve had two high school graduations and two college graduations. And I encourage my staff to do it. You see it all around baseball. People are doing things for their family and paternity leave, things like that. It’s healthy." -- Roberts, on being away from the Dodgers on Sunday to see his daughter, Emme, graduate from Stanford

Here are a few notable things to know about the Dodgers’ next opponent, the Rays (41-27):

• Probable pitching matchups: RHP Nick Martinez vs. LHP Eric Lauer on Monday, RHP Drew Rasmussen vs. LHP Justin Wrobleski on Tuesday and LHP Shane McClanahan vs. RHP Shohei Ohtani on Wednesday

• Rays' injuries and moves of note: Reliever Craig Kimbrel was activated from the IL over the weekend. There are several former Dodgers on the IL for the Rays, a group that includes Gavin Lux, Ryan Pepiot, Jonny DeLuca and Michael Grove. 

• Odds and ends: The Rays have gone an impressive 24-9 at home, but they are 17-18 on the road and coming off a series loss to the Angels.

Here's what's going on at Dodger Stadium this homestand. For more information, including the full-season promotional schedule, click here.

• Monday: Filipino Heritage Night (special event ticket package)

• Tuesday: Dodgers soccer jersey giveaway

• Friday: Mookie Betts "Game 7 double play" bobblehead giveaway

• Saturday: Shaquille O'Neal bobblehead giveaway

• Sunday: Father's Day UNIQLO T-shirt giveaway and Viva Los Dodgers

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