Edman's return allows Dodgers to shake up lineup for stretch run

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers came into Wednesday night's series finale against the Rockies with their most complete position-player group in quite some time -- and with it, a new-look defensive alignment in the outfield.

Utility man Tommy Edman was activated from the 10-day injured list, his second stint nursing a sprained right ankle this season. Outfielder Justin Dean, who primarily served as a late-inning defensive replacement for the Dodgers, was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City in a corresponding move.

The Dodgers now have only one position player on the injured list: rookie catcher Dalton Rushing, who is expected to be reinstated next week. For all intents and purposes, L.A. is at full strength on the position-player side, which could provide a much-needed boost down the stretch.

After once holding a season-high nine-game lead in the division in July, the NL West-leading Dodgers have had the Padres nipping at their heels for the past month.

"I think that we've all been waiting for our guys to come back to health and see what we look like as the ballclub that we had all envisioned," manager Dave Roberts said. "... I think [the injuries were] one part of it. At certain times, I thought we'd lost sight of playing the game the way we're capable of playing."

Edman started in center field on Wednesday, shifting Andy Pages to left while Teoscar Hernández remained in right. While the situation continues to be fluid, this could become the Dodgers' typical defensive alignment against left-handed starting pitchers.

While there's a case for the switch-hitting Edman to become the everyday center fielder, it's not that simple. For one, he's hit lefties (.737 OPS) better than righties (.647 OPS) this season. And then there's the matter of his ankle.

Edman first aggravated his right ankle at the end of April, and he spent the first half of May on the IL. After coming back, his production at the plate dropped off. He slashed .252/.295/.523 in 30 games before his first IL stint, compared with .214/.273/.323 in 56 games afterward. His ankle was still bothering him, leading to a return to the IL on Aug. 4.

The Dodgers are confident that this latest IL stint allowed Edman's ankle to fully heal. But in the early days, they'll be mindful of how he responds. The thought is that playing center field may be easier on his ankle than second base for the time being, although he should see time at both positions.

"I think they're probably about the same right now. … I guess I won't really know until I play both positions," Edman said. "But the biggest thing is just gonna be the first step. So I feel like I'll get a better feel for that once I have to make a couple tough plays out there."

Pending how Edman feels, he is pencilled in as the starting center fielder vs. left-handers, with Pages and Hernández in the corners. Trade Deadline acquisition Alex Call, who was brought in for his abilities to play all three outfield spots and hit lefties, should also figure into the mix.

Roberts said he decided to keep Hernández in right -- although Pages' arm can be a weapon in that spot -- because he doesn't feel a need to make a change at this point. But he did not rule it out.

"I'm toying with it," Roberts said. "Obviously, [we] like Andy in right, like the arm. Teo finished the season … last year in left field, so we've shown that we can win a championship with him in left field. Not quite there yet, but thinking about it."

Against right-handers, Pages will likely slide back over to center, Hernández will stay in right and Michael Conforto will continue to play left. Conforto's .621 OPS was tied for sixth worst among Major Leaguers with at least 400 plate appearances entering Wednesday.

Depending on how Edman's ankle comes along, he could make a case to be part of the outfield picture against righties as well. That is one of the many possibilities the Dodgers will monitor as they figure out how to construct their best lineup for the postseason.