The Los Angeles Dodgers have weathered their fair share of injuries in 2024, particularly to their pitching staff. But utility man Tommy Edman continues to be a lingering concern on the position player front. After missing nearly three weeks in May with right ankle inflammation, Edman is once again sidelined with discomfort in the same ankle.
Despite the New York Mets starting a right-hander on Wednesday—a matchup that would typically favor Edman’s inclusion—he was held out of the lineup as a precaution. Manager Dave Roberts described the situation as “day to day,” but the Dodgers have already called in reinforcements. Speedy outfielder Esteury Ruiz is on the taxi squad and poised to take Edman’s roster spot should a stint on the 10-day injured list become necessary.
Tommy Edman’s Ankle Woes Resurface as Dodgers Monitor Utility Man’s Status
Edman’s ankle trouble first flared up on April 29 when he tweaked it sliding into second base. While initial concerns were mild, the soreness lingered longer than expected, sidelining him until May 18—nearly two weeks beyond the team’s original return estimate. That absence opened the door for rookie Hyeseong Kim, who made his MLB debut and played well enough to earn a continued spot on the roster.
Edman has been battling to stay on the field since his return. He appeared in each game of the current homestand before Wednesday, including a pinch-hit appearance Tuesday night and later scoring the winning run on a Freddie Freeman walk-off double. However, the latest tweak—sustained earlier in the week—has cast renewed doubt over his immediate availability.
This isn’t Edman’s first ankle-related setback. During a rehab assignment last year while recovering from wrist surgery, he sprained the same ankle, delaying his 2024 debut until mid-August—well after the St. Louis Cardinals traded him to the Dodgers.
In the meantime, the Dodgers are evaluating Ruiz, whom they acquired in April from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for pitching prospect Carlos Duran. The 25-year-old outfielder, just two seasons removed from a 67-stolen-base breakout, has posted a .274/.381/.411 slash line with 16 extra-base hits, 20 RBI, and 27 stolen bases across 45 games at Triple-A Oklahoma City. While Ruiz’s bat remains a work in progress, his elite speed and defensive prowess offer a compelling temporary solution should Edman’s injury linger once again.
For now, the Dodgers will wait and see how Edman’s ankle responds—but with Ruiz waiting in the wings, they appear prepared either way.