The Los Angeles Dodgers are gearing up for the season with a need to fill the gap left by Tommy Edman, who’s sidelined due to offseason ankle surgery. But fear not, Dodgers fans-there's no shortage of talent ready to step up.
In the mix are Hyeseong Kim, Alex Freeland, Miguel Rojas, and Santiago Espinal. Espinal has been a standout value signing, while Kim impressed during camp before jetting off to the World Baseball Classic.
Although Kim picked up a left-hand injury in the WBC, the Dodgers aren’t sweating it too much. Freeland and Rojas have also shown their mettle this spring, adding depth to the roster.
This wealth of options is a boon for the Dodgers, especially since Edman’s return is still a ways off. He’s just begun on-field batting practice, but full baseball activities and a rehab assignment are still in the future. The team is wisely taking a cautious approach to ensure Edman’s ankle is fully healed before he returns to action.
Meanwhile, Kim’s injury occurred during Korea’s game against Taiwan, sidelining him for their final pool play game against Australia. Prior to that, he was on fire, batting .462 with a 1.154 OPS, a home run, five RBIs, and two stolen bases in just 13 Cactus League at-bats.
With these players ready to fill in, the Dodgers are in a strong position to navigate the early part of the season without rushing Edman back into the lineup.