Dodgers' Opening Day starter has chance to earn long-term role after September call-up

The Los Angeles Dodgers are one of the most stacked rosters in all of Major League Baseball, as they've built a superteam with some of the best players in the league.

But one spot still very much up in the air is second base. Tommy Edman could be the long-term answer there, but a recent September call-up could have a real chance to earn a job for the Dodgers beyond the 2026 season.

The Athletic's Grant Brisbee named Opening Day starter Alex Freeland, the young infielder, as the player that Dodgers fans should keep an eye on this September, as a strong month could secure him another chance as the long-term starter at second base.

Alex Freeland can earn long-term Dodgers starter job this September

"Freeland has a month to make his case for the postseason roster, but he's also looking to put himself back in the organization's plans," Brisbee writes. "A few months ago, he was right there in the middle of them."

The young Dodgers infielder has played in 79 games this season, but he's not been a very valuable player. He has 46 hits, three homers, 19 RBIs, two stolen bases, 25 walks, 69 strikeouts, a .222 average and a .606 OPS for the Dodgers in 207 at-bats.

Since his return from the minors this September, Freeland has played in seven games and has had 15 plate appearances. In that playing time, he has just one hit, three walks, two runs scored, no RBIs, doubles, triples, or homers, and one strikeout with a .350 OPS.

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As things currently stand, it's hard to imagine that Freeland will be a part of the Dodgers' long-term plans. He needs to turn things around this September and get hot to close out the 2026 season.

If he doesn't, which unfortunately appears to be the more likely outcome than a turnaround, then Freeland would likely become a bench player at best in the Dodgers' organization.

While he could be traded, the struggles he's shown the last two seasons haven't really given teams reason to spend on him in a trade.

This final month of the season is a big one for Freeland, as his MLB future could be determined based on how he finishes his 2026 season, which began with an Opening Day start for the 24-year-old infielder.

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