Dodgers' Tommy Edman to Miss Opening Day After Offseason Ankle Surgery

Versatile infielder recovering methodically, won't be rushed back, says manager Dave Roberts.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed that versatile infielder Tommy Edman will not be ready for the team's season opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks on March 26. Edman underwent ankle surgery in the offseason after being limited to 97 games in 2025 due to the injury. Roberts said the team is taking a cautious approach with Edman's recovery, prioritizing the long-term view over rushing him back for Opening Day.

Why it matters

Edman's absence will leave a hole in the Dodgers' lineup and defensive flexibility to start the season. As a key utility player, his versatility allows the team to optimize its roster and matchups. The Dodgers will need to find alternative solutions at second base and in other positions until Edman is fully recovered and ready to return.

The details

Edman, 30, underwent ankle surgery during the offseason and has been limited in his spring training activities so far. While he took some swings and did light jogging recently, Roberts said the team wants to ensure Edman's full recovery without any setbacks, rather than rushing him back for Opening Day. Edman acknowledged that a return by March 26 was likely too ambitious given the timing of his surgery, and he is focused on progressing at the right pace.

  • Edman underwent ankle surgery during the offseason.
  • Edman has been limited in spring training activities so far.
  • Edman took some swings and did light jogging a couple days ago.
  • Dodgers open the season against the Arizona Diamondbacks on March 26.

The players

Tommy Edman

A 30-year-old versatile infielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers who is recovering from offseason ankle surgery.

Dave Roberts

The manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

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What they’re saying

“I think just looking at where his ankle is at, trying to play the long view that you don't want to have any regression or setbacks. So, how can we methodical with it? Just for me, knowing that he's just taking swings is enough. We're not going to rush it. We want to put him in the best position, so I think it just kind of became [clearer] very recently.”

— Dave Roberts, Manager (Los Angeles Times)

“That was always kind of a stretch, just due to the nature of the injury and the timing of the surgery and everything. I think, having been out of the boot for a little over a month now, I was just kind of waiting to see how it progressed, and everything has gone exactly on-schedule. We were kind of leaving Opening Day open, just in case it happened to feel way better than expected. Everything's on the expected schedule so far. As I get into more baseball stuff, I still have to work into the adaptation of volume. As the volume goes up, the swelling kind of increases a little bit, so I've got to take it slow and let the progress play out the way it was planned all along, instead of trying to speed it up.”

— Tommy Edman (Los Angeles Times)

What’s next

The Dodgers will continue to monitor Edman's recovery progress and determine a timeline for his return to the active roster. The team is focused on ensuring he is fully healthy before rushing him back to game action.

The takeaway

The Dodgers are taking a cautious and methodical approach with Edman's recovery, prioritizing his long-term health over rushing him back for Opening Day. This highlights the team's commitment to player development and the importance of allowing injured players to fully heal before returning to the field.