Tommy Edman’s Position Change and Role With the Dodgers in 2025

Quick Answer

Tommy Edman's role with the Dodgers in 2025 shifted decisively to second base, where he started 66 games and logged 525.1 innings with a .996 fielding percentage. Though he remained a versatile utility option—also seeing time at third base, center field, and designated hitter—his primary defensive home was second base, driven by both team needs and his own recurring ankle issues that limited his ability to cover center field as extensively.

The 2025 season was ultimately defined by injuries, as Edman made two trips to the 10-day injured list for ankle problems and played in only 97 regular-season games.

Key Facts

• Edman started 66 games at second base in 2025, with 51 complete games and 525.1 innings at the position
• He posted a .996 fielding percentage at second base, committing just one error in 226 total chances
• Edman also played 25 games in center field, 13 games at third base, and 1 game as designated hitter
• He missed significant time due to two injured list stints in 2025: May 3–May 18 (retroactive) and August 4–September 10
• The ankle problems that plagued his 2025 season led to offseason surgery on his right ankle
• He signed a 5-year, $74 million contract extension with the Dodgers, including a $17 million signing bonus
• In the 2025 NLCS against Milwaukee, Edman hit .333 with a .775 OPS across 4 games
• He was activated from the 60-day injured list on June 16, 2026, after beginning the 2026 season on the injured list recovering from ankle surgery

From Shortstop Prospect to Second Base Staple

Tommy Edman's defensive journey has been one of constant adaptation. When he debuted with the St.

Louis Cardinals in June 2019, he was listed as a shortstop. The Cardinals selected his contract from Triple-A Memphis, and he spent his early career bouncing around the infield as a super-utility piece.

By the time he arrived in Los Angeles via trade in 2024, the Dodgers had a clear vision for how to use him: everywhere. But the 2025 season told a different story.

The Dodgers' infield picture had shifted. With established options at shortstop and third base, and with Edman's own health concerns limiting his range, second base became his natural home.

The positional change wasn't a demotion—it was a strategic alignment of his skills with the roster's needs.

Why Second Base Became the Primary Spot

Several factors converged to make second base Edman's primary position in 2025. First, the Dodgers needed stability at the keystone.

Second, Edman's ankle issues, which had been a recurring problem since his late-2024 stint on the 60-day injured list, made the shorter throws and reduced range requirements of second base more manageable than center field. Third, his offensive profile—a switch-hitter with gap power and speed—plays well at second base, where offensive production is often at a premium.

The defensive metrics back up the move. Across 66 starts and 525.1 innings at second base, Edman handled 226 chances with just one error.

His .996 fielding percentage was elite, and his range factor of 4.04 per nine innings showed he was covering ground effectively. For context, the league-average fielding percentage at second base typically hovers around .980-.985, making Edman's performance notably above the norm.

The Utility Role That Remained

Despite the emphasis on second base, Edman never completely shed his utility label. The Dodgers used him in center field for 25 games and 179 innings, where he posted a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage on 47 chances.

He also appeared at third base for 13 games, handling 37 chances with a .973 fielding percentage. This flexibility is precisely why the Dodgers invested $74 million in him.

A player who can competently cover second, third, and center field—while also being a switch-hitter with postseason pedigree—is rare. The Dodgers' front office clearly valued that versatility when they signed him to the extension, and the 2025 season validated that thinking even as injuries limited his overall output.

The Injury Saga That Defined 2025

The story of Tommy Edman's 2025 season cannot be told without addressing the ankle. It started before the season even began.

Edman had spent time on the injured list in 2024 with a right wrist issue, but the ankle problems were a newer development that would come to define his year.

Two Trips to the Injured List

The first stint came in early May. On May 3, 2025, the Dodgers placed Edman on the 10-day injured list retroactively, dealing with what was initially described as ankle discomfort.

He was activated on May 18, missing roughly two weeks of action. The quick return suggested the issue was minor, but it proved to be a harbinger of worse things to come.

The second stint was more serious. On August 4, 2025, the Dodgers placed Edman on the 10-day injured list with a sprained ankle.

This time, the recovery was longer. He wasn't activated until September 10, costing him over a month of the regular season.

In between, he made a rehab assignment to Triple-A Oklahoma City on September 2, playing for the Oklahoma City Comets to test the ankle before returning to the majors.

Playing Through Pain in October

What's notable about Edman's postseason performance is that he wasn't fully healthy. He played in one game during the Wild Card Series while still dealing with the ankle injury, and he made it count—hitting a home run in three at-bats.

The home run was a reminder of his offensive ceiling even when compromised physically. In the NLDS against Philadelphia, Edman contributed four hits across four games.

But his best work came in the NLCS against Milwaukee, where he hit .333 (5-for-15) with a .375 on-base percentage and a .400 slugging percentage, good for a .775 OPS. He drove in three runs and scored once across the four-game sweep.

That performance earned him recognition as the NLCS MVP, a testament to his ability to raise his game when the stakes were highest.

The Aftermath Surgery and Recovery

The postseason heroics came at a cost. After the World Series, Edman underwent offseason surgery on his right ankle.

The procedure was significant enough that his recovery timeline stretched into the 2026 season. On March 23, 2026, the Dodgers placed him on the 10-day injured list retroactive to March 22, recovering from the surgery.

The recovery process was slow and methodical. Edman himself indicated that his return timetable would depend on how he progressed through each step of his rehabilitation.

He began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on May 26, 2026, and was ultimately activated from the 60-day injured list on June 16, 2026.

What the Contract Says About His Value

The Dodgers made a significant financial commitment to Edman, and understanding the terms of that deal provides insight into how the organization views him. The extension, agreed upon in 2025, is worth $74 million over five years with a sixth-year option.

The structure includes a $17 million signing bonus, which was paid upfront, and a $5 million salary for the 2025 season, bringing his total 2025 compensation to $22 million. The remaining years pay him $12.5 million annually.

A Bet on Versatility and Postseason Performance

For a player who has never been a star in the traditional sense—he's a career .259 hitter with 76 home runs through August 2026—the contract represents a bet on the totality of his contributions. Edman's value isn't captured in a single stat.

It's in his ability to play multiple positions at an above-average level, his switch-hitting profile that gives managers matchup flexibility, and his demonstrated ability to perform in October. The Dodgers have shown a willingness to pay for playoff performance.

Edman's NLCS MVP award in 2025 was the latest in a pattern of clutch postseason showings dating back to his Cardinals days. When a player repeatedly rises to the occasion in the highest-pressure situations, teams tend to value that more than regular-season numbers alone.

The Risk Factor

There's no denying the contract carries risk. Edman's ankle issues have now cost him significant time in consecutive seasons.

He missed over 175 games combined due to injury across the 2024-2025 period, a staggering number for a player in his prime. The Dodgers are betting that the surgery he underwent will provide lasting relief, but ankle injuries for a player who relies on speed and range are always a concern.

The 2026 season has already provided some reason for optimism. Through 48 games in 2026, Edman has hit .270 with a .341 on-base percentage and a .409 slugging percentage, good for a .750 OPS.

He's already hit 4 home runs and driven in 23 runs, numbers that project to career-best pace over a full season. The production suggests that, when healthy, Edman remains a valuable offensive contributor.

The 2026 Comeback and What It Means Going Forward

As of August 27, 2026, Edman is back on the field and contributing. His activation from the injured list on June 16 marked the end of a recovery process that stretched nearly three months into the season.

The Dodgers, who had to navigate the early portion of the 2026 campaign without him, are now getting production from a player who has already appeared in 48 games.

Production Trends to Watch

Edman's 2026 numbers show a player settling into his role. His .270 batting average is consistent with his career mark, but his .409 slugging percentage suggests he's finding extra-base power.

The 6 doubles and 2 triples in 159 at-bats indicate he's driving the ball with more authority than in recent seasons. The speed element is also still present.

Edman has 4 stolen bases in 6 attempts, showing that his legs—and by extension, his ankle—are holding up. For a player whose value is partly tied to his baserunning and defensive range, this is an encouraging sign.

The Role Has Been Refined

The 2026 season has seen Edman continue in the second base role that emerged in 2025. The Dodgers list him as a second baseman, and he's been deployed there regularly.

But he's also been used in left field, as noted in his transaction history, showing that the versatility remains a tool the Dodgers are willing to use. The question now is whether Edman can stay on the field.

His 2026 season was delayed by the ankle surgery, but since returning in June, he's been a regular presence in the lineup. If he can maintain his health through the rest of the season and into the playoffs, the Dodgers' investment will look increasingly smart.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Tommy Edman move to second base in 2025?

Edman's move to second base was driven by a combination of team needs and his own health situation. The Dodgers had other options at shortstop and third base, while Edman's recurring ankle issues made covering center field more difficult.

Second base allowed him to play a premium defensive position with less strain on his ankle, and he excelled there, posting a .996 fielding percentage across 66 starts.

How much is Tommy Edman's contract with the Dodgers worth?

Edman signed a five-year, $74 million contract extension with the Dodgers, which includes a sixth-year option. The deal features a $17 million signing bonus, a $5 million salary for 2025 (bringing his total 2025 compensation to $22 million), and $12.5 million annually for the remaining years of the deal.

What was Tommy Edman's best moment in the 2025 postseason?

Edman was named NLCS MVP after the Dodgers swept Milwaukee in four games. He hit .333 (5-for-15) with a .775 OPS, driving in three runs.

He also hit a home run in the Wild Card Series while playing through his ankle injury.

Is Tommy Edman still dealing with ankle issues in 2026?

Edman underwent offseason surgery on his right ankle after the 2025 season. He started the 2026 season on the injured list, began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City in late May, and was activated on June 16, 2026.

He has been playing regularly since his return.

What positions can Tommy Edman play?

Edman is a true utility player. In 2025 alone, he played second base (66 starts), center field (25 games), third base (13 games), and designated hitter (1 game).

He has also played left field in 2026. Across his career, he has appeared at every position except pitcher and catcher.

Reference Notes

Information in this article is based on publicly available sources. Some details may change over time.

Verify with official sources before acting.