Tommy Edman Limited to Second Base Due to Lingering Ankle Injury
Edman’s ankle, which was an issue all season, will limit the flexibility of their utilityman
LOS ANGELES, CA—Postseason Tommy Edman showed up last night for the Los Angeles Dodgers, going 1-for-3 with a solo home run in last night's Game One win of the three-game Wild Card Series against the Cincinnati Reds.
However, after just playing five innings at second base, Edman was subbed out by veteran utility infielder Miguel Rojas due to his right ankle still being an issue.
“It was just the ankle,” Roberts said after the game. “It’s something that’s going to be ongoing. Whenever we can get him off of it to get him ready to the next day, that’s what we’re going to do. So that was kind of the thought.”
Edman’s first game in the field since last Wednesday's appearance against the Arizona Diamondbacks signaled the beginning of the Wild Card Series. Afterward, he participated in only one additional regular-season game, serving as the Dodgers’ designated hitter on September 27th.
It’s not the first time this right ankle injury has plagued Edman, as it’s been a lingering injury that has followed him for his entire Dodgers tenure, dating back to last year’s trade deadline.
Edman missed all of August and the start of September before returning to the Dodgers lineup on the 10th after tweaking the ankle during the Dodgers ’ road series in Tampa Bay.
There was hope that Edman's earlier stint on the injured list this year would enable a full recovery and the possibility of returning to center field. However, with his ankle issues reemerging, Edman will probably be restricted to only playing second base during the postseason.
“It’s feeling better day by day,” he said after the Dodgers’ win over the Reds. “They saw an opportunity for me to get off my feet a little bit and feel fresh for tomorrow.
Despite feeling discomfort, Edman has continued to show resilience as he slugged his third career Dodgers postseason home run in the Dodgers opening night win over the Reds.
“Even though I don’t necessarily feel my best right now, it’s all about competing and finding a way to win the game,” Edman explained.
“Whatever you feel like before the game doesn’t really matter. It’s all about what happens in the box. I just try to do my best whenever I get down to that one moment.”
It’s still to be determined whether Edman will be in the starting lineup tonight, but all indications appear that he will be in at second base.