BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 05: A general view of the Los Angeles Dodgers logo on an equipment bag in the dugout before the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 5, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
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The Los Angeles Dodgers will be heading into Major League Baseball’s Winter Meetings at the end of the week with some clear priorities for the roster.
In search of their third World Series championship in a row, the team will be targeting some high-leverage bullpen options as their primary upgrade. And it seems like the Dodgers might look to make a move for the outfield as well.
But those plans could also hinge on the health of Tommy Edman, a star utility player who serves as an infield and outfield option when he is at full capacity. After signing a $74 million extension with the team last winter, though, Edman endured some unfortunate injury setbacks.
“Edman landed on the injured list with a sprained right ankle twice during the regular season,” Sonja Chen reported for MLB.com. “In his second IL stint in August, the Dodgers brought him back slowly to give his ankle as much time as possible to heal up. But it still bothered Edman during the championship run, limiting him to playing the infield until it became necessary to slot him into center field during the World Series.”
Though the Dodgers were desperate to move Edman into center field during the Fall Classic, if he can’t really recover from his injury, that likely wouldn’t be an option for much of next year. And that creates a problem for the team.
“Much of Edman’s value comes from his versatility, and while he was managing his ankle, the Dodgers’ lineup configuration suffered at times when he was unable to play center,” Chen added. “So while there could be an opening at second base if Edman were not ready in time for Opening Day, his impact on the outfield might be larger.”
Edman underwent ankle surgery in November in an effort to solve the problem more permanently. If the Dodgers feel like he can return to full health before next season begins, that could go a long way in prioritizing their offseason changes. And they received an update from the player following his surgery to that end.
“It’s doing all right,” Edman said of his ankle during an appearance on ESPN LA Radio’s “The Sedano and Kap Morning Show.”
Edman added that the medical staff “said everything went smooth” and that he’s hopeful for a full recovery that “fixes it for good.”
And the Dodgers will be taking that as a good sign that a critical sparkplug for the team might have a better season next year. Edman slashed a career low .225/.274/.382 in this past campaign after enjoying an excellent start to the season. It seems likely that the ankle injury contributed to his offensive struggles as well as limiting his defensive versatility for the Dodgers.
But if Edman can bounce back and return as a viable center field option for the reigning champions next year, the team might focus its roster reinforcements elsewhere.