In an interview with Korean media Thursday in Tokyo, Korea manager Ryu Ji-hyun confirmed that Tommy Edman has officially ruled himself out of the 2026 World Baseball Classic due to an upcoming ankle surgery.
“I went to the United States last September to meet Edman,” Ryu said. “At that time, he told us about the surgery. It’s a very bad situation right now, but he said he would endure it and play the postseason. He planned to have surgery after the season, but before that, he asked us not to go out in the media. That’s why I didn’t say anything.”
Edman is scheduled to undergo ankle surgery next week after battling injuries throughout the 2025 season with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was placed on the injured list twice and played through pain during the club’s run to a second straight World Series championship. He’s expected back sometime in spring training but has ruled himself out of representing Korea.
The effects were visible in his performance. The 2025 campaign was the worst offensive season of his career by OPS, finishing with a .655 OPS and 82 OPS+. His .274 on-base percentage was also the lowest of his career.
The setback comes just one year after Edman missed more than half of the 2024 season with an injury before returning to become a postseason hero. He was named NLCS MVP after hitting .407 with 11 RBIs, tying a team record in the series. He followed that up with a .294 average and one home run in the World Series, helping the Dodgers defeat the Yankees for the championship.
Despite his struggles in 2025, Edman had expressed interest in representing Korea again at the World Baseball Classic. He made history in 2023 as the first American-born and raised player to suit up for the Korean national team. However, he struggled during that tournament, posting a .432 OPS, the fourth worst on the team, and was thrown out attempting to steal second base for the final out in a stunning 8–7 loss to Australia. The loss ultimately kept Korea from advancing out of the first round for the third straight tournament.
With Edman sidelined, Korea will look to snap its first-round skid — dating back to 2009 — without one of its most notable names. MLB players such as Tigers outfielder Jahmai Jones, Giants outfielder Lee Jung-hoo, and Dodgers utility man Kim Hye-seong are expected to join the roster, along with free agent Kim Ha-seong. KBO standouts Kim Do-yeong and Ahn Hyun-min are also projected to be part of the squad.
As part of their preparations, Korea will play Japan in Tokyo on Nov. 15–16 in a two-game exhibition series — a mini-preview of their matchup at next year’s World Baseball Classic.
Korea will compete in Pool C at the Tokyo Dome from March 5-9, facing Czechia, Japan, Taiwan, and Australia.
Photo: Tommy Edman follows through on a base hit during the second inning in Game 4 of baseball’s World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
