LOS ANGELES — After dealing with a nagging right ankle for most of the past season, Dodgers utility man Tommy Edman is set to undergo surgery next week, general manager Brandon Gomes told reporters including MLB.com’s AJ Cassavell at the General Managers Meetings on Tuesday in Las Vegas.
Edman landed on the injured list with a sprained right ankle twice during the regular season. In his second IL stint in August, the Dodgers brought him back slowly to give his ankle as much time as possible to heal up. But it still bothered Edman during the championship run, limiting him to playing the infield until it became necessary to slot him into center field during the World Series.
“This was clearly bothering him for a while,” Gomes said. “He’s so tough and went out there and kept just posting for us, and obviously played great for us. So I think it’ll be good to get it addressed, and then that way he can kind of have this behind him.”
While the hope is that Edman will be ready around the beginning of Spring Training, the Dodgers don’t see his recovery timeline as set in stone until he actually has the procedure and begins his rehab process. That opens some questions around his primary positions, second base and center field.
Much of Edman’s value comes from his versatility, and while he was managing his ankle, the Dodgers’ lineup configuration suffered at times when he was unable to play center. So while there could be an opening at second base if Edman were not ready in time for Opening Day, his impact on the outfield might be larger.
That is also relevant because the top free agent this offseason is outfielder Kyle Tucker. While it would not be surprising for the Dodgers to do their due diligence by checking in on him, it feels unlikely that they would commit to the type of long-term pact that other teams will offer.
Let’s take a look at some of the questions surrounding the Dodgers’ 2026 outfield:
Where will the returners play?
The Dodgers are retaining two-thirds of this year’s starting outfield, Teoscar Hernández and Andy Pages, as well as Alex Call. Those three could very well form next year’s outfield, but it’s fair to wonder if some positional changes could shake things up.
There were times when Hernández cost the Dodgers runs in right field, and he was tied for sixth worst among qualified Major League outfielders with -9 outs above average. If he were to move to left, that could allow Pages to slide over to right, where his cannon of an arm should play — although Pages made strides in center this year.
Is there a need in center field?
While the outfield configuration could remain the same in 2026, this is one piece of the puzzle to consider during the offseason. Even if Pages stays in center, the team could look to add some depth behind him, especially with some uncertainty about Edman’s status early on.
It spoke volumes that the Dodgers carried defensive specialist Justin Dean on the roster throughout the postseason because of his ability to slot in at center during the late innings. Kiké Hernández eventually got a start in center, and so did Edman, but the team clearly felt limited in its options there. It would not be surprising if any offseason additions to the outfield have a track record in center.
Will Ryan Ward get a shot?
Fresh off a Pacific Coast League MVP campaign, Ward was added to the Dodgers’ 40-man roster last Thursday. Gomes said Tuesday that the 27-year-old had been on the Dodgers’ radar amid some team-wide offensive slumps this past season, although they ultimately never called him up.
“He’s done everything he possibly can in Triple-A,” Gomes said. “He’s got power. He controls the zone. He can play a solid corner outfield. He can mix in at first base if needed. Wardo has put himself in a position to help us at some point, and we’re excited to see him get in there and get some reps.”
When are the top prospects coming?
The Dodgers’ farm system is rich in outfielders, including their top two prospects Josue De Paula (MLB No. 13) and Zyhir Hope (No. 20). The pair of 20-year-olds finished the season with Double-A Tulsa and could potentially impact the big league club by the end of next season. If the team believes they are closer than projected, then that could impact the decision-making this offseason.
