This article was generated by artificial intelligence and is automatically updated as news breaks. All credit belongs to the original reporters and their publications.

Tommy Edman is expected to begin a rehab assignment next week, a significant step forward for the Dodgers’ projected starting second baseman who has missed the entire 2026 season so far. Edman was spotted running the bases at Petco Park on Monday, per staff reporting at DodgerBlue.com — a visible sign of progress after weeks of lingering right ankle soreness that had stalled his recovery.

This is a meaningful update from where things stood just days ago. Earlier reports painted a more cautious picture, with Edman’s rehab progress described as lacking. Now we’re looking at actual on-field activity and a concrete timeline for getting him into minor league games. That’s a real shift, and a welcome one.

Edman, 31, signed with the Dodgers ahead of the 2025 season after his impressive postseason run with the Cardinals and subsequent trade to the Dodgers in 2024. He quickly became a vital piece of our roster — his defensive versatility across the middle infield and outfield, combined with his switch-hitting ability, made him exactly the kind of player this organization values. When healthy, Edman gives us a legitimate leadoff or second-hole option who can play multiple positions at a high level. His ability to steal bases and make consistent contact at the top of the order is something we’ve badly missed this year.

The ankle issue has been frustrating precisely because it’s the kind of injury that doesn’t have a clean, predictable recovery arc. Ankle soreness can linger and flare up unpredictably, especially for a player whose game depends on speed and agility the way Edman’s does. The fact that he’s running bases — not just jogging or doing straight-line sprints, but actually navigating the angles and cuts that come with baserunning — suggests the ankle is responding well enough for the medical staff to feel comfortable pushing toward game action.

A rehab assignment next week likely means we’d see Edman in games at Triple-A Oklahoma City, getting at-bats and defensive reps in a controlled setting before any activation. These stints typically run anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks depending on how the player feels and performs. If everything goes smoothly, a late May or early June return to the big league roster is realistic.

For the Dodgers, getting Edman back would be a significant boost. We’ve been cobbling together second base production all season, and while the team has managed to stay competitive, the lineup and defensive alignment both improve with Edman in the mix. He’s the kind of player who doesn’t necessarily jump off the stat sheet every night but makes the team better in ways that compound over a full season — taking extra bases, turning double plays, putting the ball in play in big spots. I’m cautiously optimistic here. The running at Petco Park is a good sign, but the rehab assignment will be the real tell. Let’s see how the ankle holds up once he’s playing real games on consecutive days.

Source(s): Staff (DodgerBlue.com) | First reported: May 21, 2026 7:27 PM UTC

God Bless and Go Dodgers