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The Dodgers officially activated Tommy Edman from the 60-day injured list on Monday, designating Santiago Espinal for assignment to clear spots on both the active and 40-man rosters, per Dodger Blue staff. Edman returns after undergoing right ankle surgery in the offseason — a procedure that kept him out for the entire first chunk of the 2026 season. The recovery timeline stretched longer than the Dodgers initially anticipated, but Edman is now cleared and back on the roster.

Edman has become one of the more quietly valuable players in the Dodgers’ recent history. Originally acquired from the Cardinals at the 2024 trade deadline, he was a key contributor during the 2024 World Series championship run, showing off the defensive versatility and contact-oriented approach that made him an All-Star in St. Louis back in 2021. He can play second base, shortstop, center field — essentially wherever you need him. That kind of flexibility is gold on a roster constructed the way ours is, especially when the injury bug has been biting hard this season. His ability to slot in across the diamond gives Dave Roberts options he simply hasn’t had while Edman was on the shelf. The ankle surgery was a significant procedure, and the fact that rehab ran long is worth keeping in mind as he ramps back up. But Edman’s track record suggests he’ll find his footing quickly — he’s a professional hitter who doesn’t chase, plays solid defense at multiple positions, and runs the bases well.

Espinal, meanwhile, gets DFA’d for the second time in short order. That tells you everything you need to know about where he stands on this roster. He was brought in as organizational depth, and he filled that role when bodies were needed, but he was never going to stick once healthier options returned. Espinal is a solid defender at the infield corners and middle infield spots, but his bat simply hasn’t been productive enough to hold a roster spot on a team with this much talent. I don’t think anyone is surprised by this move — it was telegraphed the moment Edman’s return date started coming into focus.

For the Dodgers, this is a straightforward upgrade. You’re swapping a below-average bench piece for a proven, versatile contributor who can start or come off the bench depending on the day’s matchup. Edman immediately gives the lineup more depth and the defense more flexibility. With Mookie Betts working through his struggles and the team managing various other health situations across the roster, getting Edman back is a genuine boost — not a splashy headline, but the kind of move that makes a roster meaningfully better. We needed this one.

Source(s): Staff (Dodger Blue) | First reported: June 16, 2026 9:53 PM UTC

God Bless and Go Dodgers