Dodgers’ weird Andy Ibáñez move could bode well for Tommy Edman, Kiké Hernández

The Los Angeles Dodgers' signing of Andy Ibáñez three weeks ago appeared to be a direct response to the current statuses of Tommy Edman and Kiké Hernández. With Edman possibly not ready for Opening Day and Hernández hanging around in free agency after offseason surgery, Ibáñez seemed to be on track to serve in a utility role with the Dodgers this season.

That was the impression, but not the reality of the Dodgers' front office. The Dodgers claimed outfielder Michael Siani — who they had DFA'ed to make room for Kyle Tucker — off waivers from the New York Yankees, and waved goodbye to Ibáñez as the corresponding move.

Bringing Siani back makes sense for the Dodgers, considering when they first claimed him in December, he had the impression of being the clear replacement for the loss of Justin Dean.

Getting rid of Ibáñez three weeks after signing him doesn't exactly make sense, unless Los Angeles got good news on Edman and/or Hernández.

Dodgers may have tipped their hand on Tommy Edman, Kiké Hernández roles

Between the two, chances are Edman's timeline may have been sped up. The impression from the Dodgers was that Edman may not be ready for Opening Day after undergoing an offseason ankle injury, but that wasn't exactly the takeaway from Edman speaking with reporters during DodgerFest on Saturday.

Edman suggests that his timeline was fluid, but he is no longer in a walking boot and has started taking dry swings. He hopes to be jogging within the next week. Edman seems to be checking every box as part of his recovery, and it seems that the door is open for him to resume regular baseball activity before the end of the month. If that's the case, that could bode well for his chances of being on the Opening Day roster.

Edman being healthy and ready for Opening Day would've led to a role redundancy had Ibáñez also been on the roster.

There wasn't a timeline provided for Hernández when he underwent elbow surgery in November, but the expectation is that he won't be ready until the middle months of the season. While there is an expectation that Hernández will eventually return to the Dodgers on a one-year deal, chances are his status didn't exactly play a factor in the decision to reverse course with Ibáñez.

Perhaps the Dodgers are hopeful Ibáñez clears waivers, and he finds his way back to Los Angeles, but that doesn't seem too likely considering his positional versatility.