The Los Angeles Dodgers lineup is mostly set across the board with stars and long-time players holding on tight to every spot on the field, other than one.
The Dodgers revealed that utility man and everyday second baseman Tommy Edman will not be ready for Opening Day after undergoing ankle surgery over the offseason.
Edman needed the procedure after fighting through the pain in 2025, playing with limited mobility, but gutting it out down the stretch.
His injury opens up the battle for the starting second baseman position, which will include Miguel Rojas, Hyeseong Kim, Alex Freeland, and new signee Santiago Espinal.
Kim got off to a hot start in his MLB debut, but he struggled with injuries and a slump, reducing his role to a bit player come the postseason.
Freeland got his debut last season after a run of injuries to the infield and improved results as a hit with a contact approach.
Both players are young and hungry, and the Dodgers seem high on them, which will make the competition interesting.
Additionally, Miguel Rojas will play a notable role in the rotation, but with this being his last season, the Dodgers will likely rest him frequently and focus on giving repetitions to a player with a future.
Espinal had back-to-back poor seasons with the Cincinnati Reds, and barring an unforeseen turnaround, he will be a depth piece rather than a true contender for the starting spot.
Considering their potential, the fight over playing time at second between Kim and Freeland will have major implications for the 2026 season and beyond.
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