LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers are ready to kick off their 2026 season campaign this Thursday at Chavez Ravine.

They had themselves a regular spring camp, with questions mainly looming from the second base position due to utility man Tommy Edman still recovering from offseason ankle surgery. 

A position battle ensued between Hyeseong Kim and Alex Freeland. In the end, it was Freeland who was able to get over the hump and make the Opening Day roster. 

Before game two of the exhibition Freeway Series against the Los Angeles Angels, manager Dave Roberts gave a timeline on not only Edman's status, but for southpaw starter, Blake Snell as well.

Roberts said that both players will begin the season on the injured list, but he and the Dodgers expect them to be back with the team sometime in mid-May. 

Edman is still trying to find his footing after undergoing right ankle surgery back in November. 

He said during DodgersFest that he had been running off the ankle, but was still in a boot. 

Fast forward to Monday, and Edman is off a boot and took batting practice before Monday's game. 

Though he will miss the next two months, the Dodgers have set themselves up with depth in the infield with Freeland manning second base and newcomer Santiago Espinal. 

In terms of Snell's progression, he has been adamant about how he wants his recovery to go.

Snell is taking the cautious route when it comes to playing this season 100% healthy. 

He threw his first bullpen back at Dodgers camp in Glendale on March 12. 

Though it was a light 15-pitch session, Snell told the media that he came out of it effortlessly and felt no pain in his nagging shoulder. 

Snell told the media at DodgersFest that he rushed his recovery last season after missing four months with shoulder inflammation. 

"Last year, I was rushing," Snell said. "I wanted to pitch so bad. But I'm going to take my time. The goal is to be ready Opening Day, but I'm going to take my time."

He made substantial contributions to the Dodgers' pitching staff in their postseason run to back-to-back titles, but the workload took a toll. 

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