Tommy Edman Faces Possible Offseason Ankle Surgery After Lingering Injury
Los Angeles Dodgers utility player Tommy Edman might be heading into the offseason with a tough decision ahead — surgery on his right ankle is being considered. According to a report from DodgersBeat.com, Edman revealed on Saturday that he and the Dodgers’ medical staff plan to “probably evaluate” whether surgery will be necessary once the season wraps up.
This issue has been hanging around for quite a while. Edman first hurt his ankle back in June 2024, during a rehab assignment when he was still with the St. Louis Cardinals. Since then, it has been a recurring problem, with multiple flare-ups and even a couple of stints on the injured list this season. Despite all that, he’s managed to stay active and contribute for the Dodgers — but the team has clearly been cautious with him.
Recently, Edman shared that his ankle is “feeling really good,” but that hasn’t stopped the Dodgers from keeping him mostly at second base to limit strain. The coaching staff wants to avoid pushing him too hard in the field, which makes sense considering the risk of aggravating the injury again. Still, the offseason evaluation will determine if surgery is the best long-term solution.
If surgery does end up happening, there’s a chance Edman could get a late start to the 2026 MLB season. That would be a setback not only for the Dodgers but also for Edman personally, who’s known for his versatility and speed on the basepaths. In fact, the lingering ankle issue might already explain why he hasn’t been as active in stealing bases lately.
From 2021 through 2023, while playing with the Cardinals, Edman averaged nearly 30 stolen bases per season — an impressive number that reflected his quickness and aggressive running style. But in his 134 games as a Dodger, he’s managed just nine steals in ten attempts. His sprint speed, too, has noticeably declined over the last two years, suggesting that the injury has quietly been affecting his explosiveness.
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Even though Edman remains a valuable player with his defensive flexibility and strong baseball instincts, the question now is whether he’ll need to hit the reset button this winter to fully heal. Surgery could offer a fresh start but would also come with months of recovery time.
As the Dodgers look ahead to another competitive season — and as Edman’s status potentially affects his role in international baseball, including with Korea’s WBC team — this offseason decision could have far-reaching consequences. For now, the hope is that rest and rehab might be enough, but the final call will come once the World Series dust settles.
Dodgers’ Tommy Edman May Need Offseason Ankle Surgery After Lingering Injury
Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Tommy Edman could be facing a significant offseason decision — one that might involve surgery on his right ankle. The topic came up recently when Edman mentioned that he and the Dodgers will “probably evaluate” whether surgery is necessary once the World Series wraps up.
This ankle issue isn’t new for Edman. It dates back to June 2024, when he first suffered the injury during a rehab assignment while still with the St. Louis Cardinals. Since then, the problem has lingered, resurfacing multiple times and causing him to spend two separate stints on the injured list this season. Despite the long battle with the injury, Edman said recently that his ankle is currently “feeling really good.” Still, the Dodgers are taking no chances. To reduce stress on the ankle, the team has mostly limited him to second base instead of his usual rotation across multiple infield and outfield positions.
If surgery ends up being necessary, it could delay Edman’s preparation for the 2026 season. That potential setback would come at a tough time for both the Dodgers and the Korean national team, as Edman has been a key player for both. His versatility and consistency have made him valuable in any lineup, but the nagging ankle issue has clearly had an impact on his game.
One of the most visible signs of that impact has been his decline in speed. Between 2021 and 2023, while playing for the Cardinals, Edman averaged nearly 30 stolen bases per season. However, since joining the Dodgers, that number has dropped dramatically — just nine steals in 10 attempts over 134 games. His sprint speed has also declined noticeably during the same period, a likely reflection of the ongoing discomfort and reduced explosiveness caused by the injury.
Even with the limitations, Edman has continued to be a steady presence on the field, showcasing his trademark hustle and defensive reliability. But both he and the Dodgers know that long-term health comes first. The decision about surgery will likely depend on how his ankle responds once the postseason ends and the team has time to fully assess his recovery progress.
For now, the Dodgers are focused on the World Series, but Edman’s offseason could be shaped by that lingering question — will rest and rehab be enough, or will surgery be the only way to get him back to full strength for 2026? Either way, it’s clear that his next few months will be crucial in determining the next chapter of his career.
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