Tommy Edman’s return to the Dodgers has come with a quick jolt at the plate, and the switch-hitter says the comfort is showing up from both sides.
Since coming back earlier this month after offseason right ankle surgery, the 31-year-old has hit .333/.405/.455 with two doubles, one triple and four RBI in 37 plate appearances over his first 10 games. He’s been effective whether he’s batting left-handed or right-handed, posting a .300 average as a lefty and .348 as a righty.
“I feel like this is kind of one of the rare times where both swings feel good, both from the right and left,” Edman said on SportsNet LA. “It’s really tough to maintain both swings over the course of the season, so I’m just happy that I feel that way right now.”
Edman said the difference has come from consistency over the last month, helped by the fact that his right ankle is no longer bothering him and by working in “a couple new drills.”
“It’s nothing crazy. I’m not taking like a million swings right now.
I feel like I’ve just got a good routine down,” Edman noted. “Part of it is kind of just breaking habits that I think I built last year.
I was just getting into some bad movements with the lower body, probably just compensating for the ankle, and hips get out of whack, and that kind of stuff.
“I’m hopeful that I’ll just be able to keep this up the rest of the year and just be consistent with it. And that’s kind of what it’s all about, is just having a steady swing that you can trust and a swing that you can always fall back on.”
The Dodgers have been rolling offensively in June as well, with the club tied for second in walk percentage at 10.6, third in on-base percentage at .346 and tied for third with 5.2 FanGraphs’ WAR.
Edman’s role is also expected to shift a bit. He has been getting most of his work in left field while Teoscar Hernández has been out with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain. But with Hernández set to come off the 10-day injured list before Monday’s series opener against the Athletics, Edman should see more time at second base.
He could also pick up the occasional start at third base when Max Muncy gets a day off.
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