Shohei Ohtani, the superstar, has been out of the Dodgers lineup for three straight games now, sidelined by knee inflammation that has kept him off the mound for months. Missing a player of his caliber should be a gut punch, a total lineup killer. But honestly, if you’ve been watching, you might not even realize Ohtani’s gone. That’s all thanks to Tommy Edman absolutely going off.
Edman Stepping Up When It Counts Most
Edman grabbed that leadoff spot for Ohtani starting this past Thursday, and man, he didn’t just run with it, he sprinted! Against the St. Louis Cardinals, he put on a clinic, going a ridiculous 4-for-5. The Dodgers pulled out a tight 3-2 win, and Edman scored two critical runs in the process. Then, in Saturday’s game against the Washington Nationals, he didn’t get four hits, but his *one* hit? Oh man, it was the biggest hit of the night. The Dodgers were down by two runs in the bottom of the seventh, facing a real struggle, and Edman stepped to the plate. He launched a three-run shot, a no-doubter right over the right field wall, completely flipping the script and giving the Dodgers the lead. They held on to win, making it their third consecutive victory. Manager Dave Roberts couldn’t stop raving, calling Edman “a heck of a ballplayer” who you “can put him anywhere on the diamond.” Roberts shouted out how Edman “makes plays offensively,” “takes good at-bats,” and “has the knack for the big hit.” He’s truly “playing his tail off.” And let’s be real, Roberts nailed it when he said, “when you don’t have Shohei in there, to put Tommy in there and really still be productive, it’s great.” You just love to see that kind of fire!
From Ankle Surgery to Absolute Heater
Here’s the kicker: Edman actually missed the first couple of months of the season, grinding his way back from offseason ankle surgery. If you hadn’t known, you’d never guess based on how he’s tearing it up. Through 65 games this season, he’s already blasted six homers and driven in 32 RBIs, all while boasting an impressive .762 OPS. That .762 OPS? If he keeps that pace, it would be his absolute best since his rookie year back in 2019. But even with all the heroics, Edman is just focused. He said he’s “just trying to get on base,” “have good, productive at-bats,” and “grind out some ABs.” He’s not even chasing the “slug,” saying it’s “not something I’m necessarily trying to do, just more trying to get on base than anything.” That selfless, team-first approach is exactly what you want from your leadoff guy, especially when a massive piece of your lineup is out.
What’s Next for the Dodgers’ Lineup?
So, while Edman is absolutely crushing it, his time at the top of the lineup is still technically temporary. The Dodgers are already looking to bring Ohtani back from his few days of rest. There’s no concrete return date set just yet, though. Ohtani did take some swings during Saturday’s game and felt no discomfort, which is a huge relief. They’re going to see how he feels before Sunday’s series finale against the Nationals. Whether Ohtani is back in the lineup tomorrow or not, the Dodgers have to feel incredibly confident, maybe even a little spoiled, knowing they’ve got a quality bat like Edman ready to step up and deliver big time. This kind of depth is what makes a team dangerous.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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