In a significant setback for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tommy Edman will not be ready for Opening Day due to recovery from ankle surgery. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed on March 11, 2024, that Edman will begin the season on the Injured List, leaving second base open for competition among other players.
Roberts stated, “He took some swings the other day, from both sides. Did some skipping, some light jogging… Just looking at where his ankle is at, we want to avoid any regression.” The manager emphasized the importance of a careful recovery process, noting that Edman is still not at full speed and needs to be in optimal baseball condition before returning to play.
Edman himself shared his focus on gradual progress rather than a specific return date. “Opening Day was going to be a really aggressive goal,” he remarked. “I feel like I’m on schedule and just see how it goes with each step along the way.” His commitment to recovery reflects the careful approach the Dodgers are taking to prevent any setbacks.
Potential Candidates for Second Base
With Edman sidelined, the Dodgers are evaluating several players for the starting second base position. Roberts mentioned Miguel Rojas, Hyeseong Kim, and Alex Freeland as potential options. Additionally, the team recently signed veteran utility player Santiago Espinal to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training.
Espinal, who has a career batting average of .261 over six seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays and Cincinnati Reds, could provide a right-handed hitting option alongside Rojas. Both Kim and Freeland are left-handed hitters, making Espinal an intriguing addition to the lineup. Kim, who is seen as a natural replacement, also has the versatility to back up Andy Pages in center field.
Kim, a former All-Star infielder in Korea, struggled to find his footing in the major leagues during his rookie season with the Dodgers. He played 71 games, primarily at second base, after adjusting his swing to meet the demands of major league pitching. “The swing changes we made last year… I felt about 70 percent comfortable,” Kim explained through an interpreter. He is optimistic about making further adjustments this season.
Team Dynamics and Player Development
Despite a challenging initial season, Kim’s determination to improve is evident. He averaged .280, but ended with a disappointing .224 over his last 50 games. “I was not satisfied last year – I found out some of the things that I needed to work on,” he admitted. His goal this spring is to secure a spot on the Dodgers’ season-opening roster.
Roberts expressed confidence in Kim’s development, stating, “I think he got a good introduction to major league pitching. He did a really nice job for us. I expect he’s going to have more opportunities this year.” This positive outlook on Kim aligns with the Dodgers’ commitment to nurturing talent, ensuring players are well-prepared when called upon.
Freeland, who made his MLB debut last year, also faced challenges, hitting just .190 in 29 games and striking out nearly half the time. Despite these difficulties, Roberts noted that Freeland has made significant improvements during the offseason. “He’s had a great winter… I just want to see quality at-bats and keep moving around the diamond,” he said.
As the Dodgers navigate the early stages of spring training, the status of Blake Snell remains uncertain. Snell is the only member of the projected six-man rotation who has yet to face hitters in live batting practice. He has not thrown off a mound, as he opts for a cautious approach this spring following a shoulder issue that affected his performance last season. “He’s playing catch. He’s throwing,” Roberts reported, indicating that Snell’s timeline for return is still undetermined.
The Dodgers are poised to adapt to these early challenges as they prepare for the upcoming season. With Edman unavailable and opportunities arising for other players, the team’s depth and resilience will be put to the test in the weeks ahead.
