Why Dodgers are already thinking about endurance test that awaits in 2026 three-peat bid

"Just weeks into the offseason, the Dodgers are already thinking 11 months ahead. Having just finished yet another grueling October campaign, they are bracing for the long road required to get back. The team's central focus right now, of course, is on bolstering its roster and supplementing its star-studded core coming out of last week's annual MLB general managers' meetings in Las Vegas."

"But as they go for a World Series three-peat in 2026, one of their primary challenges will be managing the returning talent - and ensuring the burdensome toll from their previous two title treks doesn't become a roadblock in their pursuit of another ring. That thinking was present last week, when general manager Brandon Gomes announced that utilityman Tommy Edman will undergo ankle surgery to address an injury that nagged him for the second half of this past season."

"When asked about Edman's recovery timeline, Gomes said the "goal" is to have him ready for spring training - but that the team was also "gonna be smart" about making sure he isn't rushed back. "Obviously, he hasn't had [the surgery] yet. So we'll look into that as we get into the rehab process," Gomes said. "And like we do with everything, let's keep the big picture in mind, with the goal of playing through October.""

The Dodgers are planning for the 2026 season with load management and long-term recovery priorities after consecutive World Series runs. Top pitchers logged heavy playoff innings, including Yoshinobu Yamamoto's 37⅓ frames, complicating workload planning for a grueling season. General manager Brandon Gomes is prioritizing strategic rest for aging stars such as Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts while accounting for World Baseball Classic commitments. Utilityman Tommy Edman will undergo ankle surgery with the goal of returning by spring training, though the team will avoid rushing his rehab to preserve October availability. The organization emphasizes organizational depth and careful timeline management.

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