Tommy Edman Returns to Dodgers After Injury, Boosting Team's Depth Tommy Edman, who last played for the Dodgers in last year's World Series, has officially returned to the team after a prolonged recovery from a right ankle injury. The utility player had been sidelined since undergoing surgery to repair the ankle shortly after the 2025 Fall Classic, but his rehabilitation timeline extended beyond initial expectations. His return marks a significant step for the Dodgers, who have relied on platoon partners at second base while Edman was out. Edman's comeback began in mid-June when he completed his rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City and was activated from the 60-day injured list on Tuesday. The move coincided with the designation of utility man Santiago Espinal for assignment, clearing a spot on the roster. His return is expected to provide stability and flexibility to a lineup that has struggled to find consistent production at second base. At second base, the Dodgers have relied on a platoon of left-handed hitters Alex Freeland and Hyeseong Kim, along with right-handed options Miguel Rojas and Espinal. However, the team's second basemen have posted a .656 OPS through the season, below average compared to other positions. Edman, who has a career .717 OPS and a .672 mark in two seasons with the Dodgers, is seen as a potential upgrade. His experience and track record suggest he could elevate the team's offensive output at the position, despite the uncertainty of how much of an impact he will have. Edman's return also addresses a long-standing issue for the Dodgers: their need for a true superutility player. While the team has carried utility options in his absence, none have provided the same level of lineup flexibility.#los_angeles_dodgers #santiago_espinal #andy_pages #tommy_edman #miguel_rojas
Veteran Infielder Elects to Leave Dodgers, Head to Free Agency Santiago Espinal, a veteran infielder, has chosen to enter free agency instead of accepting an assignment with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The team designated him for assignment earlier this week, but he cleared waivers and opted to pursue free agency, according to the team’s transaction log on MiLB.com. Espinal will now seek opportunities with other Major League Baseball teams for the 2026 season. Espinal joined the Dodgers on a minor league deal in February and became one of the team’s breakout stars during spring training. His strong performance in the Cactus League earned him a spot on the Opening Day roster as the 26th man on the bench. He held his roster spot until late May, when Kik Hernndez returned from the 60-day injured list. The Dodgers DFA’d Espinal that week, and he cleared waivers before being sent to Triple-A Oklahoma City. However, Espinal rejected the assignment and instead entered free agency. Hernndez, who was called up to replace Espinal, remained on the roster for only two games before re-injuring his oblique and returning to the injured list. The Dodgers quickly recalled Espinal, and he responded with strong performances in his second stint with the team. Over his second spell with the Dodgers, Espinal went 6-for-15 (.400) with an OPS of .775. His resurgence came as Tommy Edman was set to return from the 60-day IL, prompting the Dodgers to DFA him again. Manager Dave Roberts acknowledged Espinal’s contributions, stating, “Espy’s been great for us. But it’s just kind of the fit right now with our ball club, it just doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.” Espinal’s time with the Dodgers ended with a .268 batting average across 36 games, along with one home run, seven RBIs, and an OPS of .651.#boston_red_sox #los_angeles_dodgers #cincinnati_reds #toronto_blue_jays #santiago_espinal
Shohei Ohtani Lowers ERA to MLB-Best 0.82 in Win Over Giants LOS ANGELES -- Shohei Ohtani continued his dominance on the mound as a pitcher, helping the Los Angeles Dodgers secure a 4-0 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday night. The two-way star, who has been limited to pitching duties for the fourth time in seven starts this season, struck out eight Giants across seven scoreless innings. Ohtani allowed just four hits and two walks while throwing 105 pitches, further solidifying his position atop the MLB ERA leaderboard with a near-perfect 0.82 mark through seven starts. Ohtani’s performance marked the second-lowest ERA by a Dodgers pitcher through their first seven starts of a season since the earned run became an official statistic in the National League in 1912. Only Fernando Valenzuela, who posted a 0.29 ERA after seven starts in 1981, had a lower mark in that span. Manager Dave Roberts emphasized Ohtani’s focus on pitching excellence, noting that his dedication to the role benefits the team’s long-term goals. The Dodgers entered the game in desperate need of a win, having lost four consecutive games by at least four runs. Ohtani’s presence on the mound provided the stability the team required, though the Dodgers had struggled in his previous six starts, going 2-4. This victory ended their season-high-tying four-game losing streak and marked their first win in an Ohtani start since April 15. Ohtani’s dominance was evident from the start, as he received early run support from back-to-back home runs by Santiago Espinal and Mookie Betts in the third inning. The Dodgers added two more runs in the fourth inning through small-ball tactics, giving Ohtani ample cushion to dominate the Giants’ lineup.#shohei_ohtani #los_angeles_dodgers #san_francisco_giants #santiago_espinal #mookie_betts
Dodgers' Hyeseong Kim: Optioned to Triple-A The Los Angeles Dodgers have assigned Hyeseong Kim to Triple-A Oklahoma City, placing him on the minor-league roster for the 2026 season. Kim, a 30-year-old infielder, was optioned on Sunday after participating in nine Cactus League games, where he posted a .407 batting average with one extra-base hit and five stolen bases. Despite his strong performance in spring training, he will not be part of the major-league team's opening-day roster. Kim's absence from the active roster comes amid competition for a bench role, as he was passed over by Santiago Espinal and Alex Freeland. The Dodgers' decision was influenced by the expected status of Tommy Edman, who is anticipated to begin the season on the injured list due to a shoulder injury. Edman's potential absence created a need for depth at the infield, but Kim's inability to secure a spot on the 25-man roster highlights the challenges of making the team despite his spring success. The move to Triple-A signals a setback for Kim, who had shown promise in previous seasons. His .407 average in the Cactus League demonstrated his offensive capabilities, but the Dodgers' roster decisions suggest they prioritized other players for the 2026 campaign. Kim will now have the opportunity to continue developing in the minors, with the hope of earning a call-up later in the season.#los_angeles_dodgers #hyeseong_kim #triple_a_oklahoma_city #santiago_espinal #alex_freeland
