Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts soft launched a roster move after Monday’s win against the Tampa Bay Rays, stating the Dodgers would designate infielder Santiago Espinal for assignment to make room for utility man Tommy Edman when he returns from the injured list.
Roberts announced Edman would return to the team Tuesday ahead of Monday’s game. Edman has been on the sidelines for the entire season so far, as he is recovering from offseason surgery on his ankle. He struggled with ankle injuries throughout 2025, and is finally ready to return to MLB after a lengthy rehab stint.
The Dodgers have already DFA’d Espinal once this season, placing him on waivers after Kiké Hernandez returned from the injured list. He re-joined the team shortly after, though, when Teoscar Hernandez landed on the injured list just a few days later and they shuffled the rest of the roster around.
How Has Santiago Espinal Played Since Returning?
Espinal has featured in 10 games since coming back to the Dodgers, and has been much better than he was in his first stint with the Dodgers.
He played 26 games through the first couple of months of the season, posting a .604 OPS with one home run and four RBIs. Since his return, he has gone 6-for-15 (.400) with identical on-base percentage and slugging percentage numbers, and has three RBIs.
Despite his performances, though, Edman’s return leaves the Dodgers with far too many middle infielders, and he’ll have to find a spot on a roster elsewhere if he wants to remain in MLB.
Did Tommy Edman’s Rehab Assignment Go Well?
Edman had a successful rehab assignment in Triple-A, featuring in 14 games for the Oklahoma City Comets. Through those 14 games, Edman batted .275 with a .743 OPS, hitting three extra-base hits—including one homer—and driving in three runs.
He recorded a hit in all of his final three games in Triple-A, and capped off his rehab assignment with a three-hit effort during which he stole a base and scored two runs.
Edman’s return is great news for the Dodgers, and they’ll hope they can get the best of him now that he’s back at 100%.
Are you excited to see Tommy Edman back in the lineup?
