The start of the offseason saw an initial group of Los Angeles Dodgers free agents that included Clayton Kershaw, Kiké Hernández, J.D. Martinez and nine others.
The total number of Dodgers free agents this winter grew to 16 when they declined team options on Daniel Hudson, Joe Kelly, Lance Lynn and Alex Reyes.
It’s plausible the Dodgers re-sign Kershaw, Hernández, Martinez or any of the relief pitchers, but those possibilities depend on a mixture of health and how free agency unfolds with Shohei Ohtani.
Health is most paramount for Kershaw in the wake of having the glenohumeral ligaments and capsule in his left shoulder repaired, and it also applies to Hernández, albeit with not as much uncertainty.
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Hernández had double hernia surgery in October but should start baseball activities around the end of November:
Free agent Kiké Hernández underwent double-hernia surgery on Oct. 24. Expected to resume baseball activities in 3-4 weeks. Hernández’s condition helps explain why he wasn’t the same offensively and defensively last season. Dr. William Meyers performed the surgery in Philadelphia.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 7, 2023
Hernández, Kershaw and David Peralta have each undergone surgery since the Dodgers were swept by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League Division Series.
That timeline leaves Hernández well on track to make a full recovery in time for the start of Spring Training and certainly Opening Day. The super utility man is a free agent for the second time in his career.
But unlike in 2020 when Hernández reached free agency on the back of a strong season and World Series title with the Dodgers, he’s struggled the past two years.
Hernández previously underwent surgery in 2022 due to a hematoma in his psoas muscle, which is located between the lower part of the spine and upper thigh. He had missed 33 games during the 2022 season because of what initially was deemed a hip flexor strain.
Part of the treatment at the time and in effort to continue playing, Hernández had blood drained via needle in his spine and he received a PRP shot around the All-Star break.
Will the Dodgers re-sign Kiké Hernández?
Although Hernández was in the midst of a disappointing season, the Dodgers completed a trade with the Boston Red Sox amid confidence a reunion and return to familiarity would lend to improved results at the plate.
That did manifest itself as Hernández batted .262/.308/.423 with 12 doubles, five home runs and 30 RBI over 54 games with the Dodgers.
He hit .222/.279/.320 with 11 doubles, six home runs and 31 RBI in 86 games with the Red Sox before the trade. Hernández additionally had a .731 on-base plus slugging percentage with the Dodgers, compared to a .599 mark in Boston.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
