The Los Angeles Dodgers are on a hot streak and look like they are getting healthy to boot. Los Angeles has won eight of their last ten games, and Manager Dave Roberts has been very bullish when updating timelines of players on the Injured List. Here is a rundown of the latest news and what it means for the Los Angeles roster going forward.
One Infielder Reinstated, Another on His Way Soon?
Enrique Hernández made his season debut against the Colorado Rockies on May 25. He promptly made his presence felt by ripping a run-scoring double down the line. The fan-favorite utility player had off-season elbow surgery to repair an injury that Hernandez played through during the postseason last year. The doctor who performed the surgery said it’s the worst injury of its kind he’s ever seen.
Hernandez, who has played every position on the diamond except catcher, is the Dodger version of “Mr October” in the postseason. To make room for Hernandez on the roster, Los Angeles designated Santiago Espinal for assignment. Espinal struggled to carry the momentum he had coming out of Spring Training.
Is Tommy Tanks Finally Healthy?
Tommy Edman is on the comeback trail as well. He starts a rehab assignment on May 26 in the minors with Triple-A Oklahoma City. It will last at least three weeks as he will try to rebuild strength in the ankle, which he had surgically repaired during the offseason. This ankle injury predates Edman’s arrival to the Dodgers and severely hampered his production last year, especially with the bat. His batting average was at least 20 points lower than his career average. The Dodgers have slow-walked his return out of an abundance of caution. If all goes well, he will rejoin the Big League club in mid-June.
As expected, Tommy Edman has arrived in Sugar Land, Texas, to join OKC and begin a rehab assignment. He’ll bat second and play second base tonight.#Dodgers
— Alex Freedman (@azfreedman) May 26, 2026
The Starting Rotation
Tyler Glasnow has been on the Injured List with back spasms since he left a start early against the Houston Astros. Roberts initially said that he expected the right-hander to “miss the minimum.” However, Glasnow’s back flared up, thus interrupting his recovery time. He has now resumed a throwing program. It is worth noting that Glasnow has been prone to injury his entire career, missing chunks of time throughout, and he has never pitched above 160 innings in his Major League career. This might be a way of reducing the mileage on his arm, so that he can be ready for the stretch run and the postseason.
Blake Snell is also recovering from having a Skubal Scope. He will be out for at least a month.
The Pen
Right-hander Brusdar Graterol is out indefinitely after suffering a back injury during rehab. He hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2024. However, Jack Dreyer, Evan Philips, and Brock Stewart are all facing hitters in a simulated game this afternoon. Stewart, who has been out with a bone spur, is probably the closest to going on a rehab assignment.
A Numbers Game
All these players getting healthy is going to create a roster logjam sooner or later. Hyeseong Kim should probably be on high alert. Alex Freeland beat him out of a roster spot before Opening Day. Kim went down and tore it up at Triple-A and was soon recalled when Mookie Betts went on the IL. He stayed up when Betts came back. However, he has cooled off considerably. He is just 6-40 before last night’s game. According to his manager, the young infielder is “swinging outside the zone” again. With Edman on the verge of returning, it looks like Kim may be running out of time to turn it around.
As for which pitching arms to choose from? The Dodgers will cross that bridge when they come to it.
Main Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
