The Los Angeles Dodgers reinstated Kiké Hernandez and Chris Taylor from the 10-day injured list, recalled Dylan Floro, placed Kristopher Negrón on the IL with neck stiffness, and optioned Kyle Garlick and Casey Sadler before Tuesday’s series opener against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Both Hernandez and Taylor return after completing rehab assignments over the weekend. Hernandez went a combined 4-for-9 with one double, one home run, three RBI and two walks in three games with the Dodgers’ Arizona League affiliates.
He returns after missing the past three weeks with a left hand sprain. While Hernandez has struggled at various points throughout the season, he appeared to turn the corner in the July.
He batted .365/.431/.596 with three doubles, three home runs, 11 RBI and six walks in 17 games (12 starts) before suffering the injury. “The main difference is he’s staying in the strike zone considerably more,” Roberts noted last month.
“I think No. 1, staying in the strike zone and using the big part of the field has been the biggest difference. When you’re swinging early or getting behind, it’s tough to kind of work your way back into the count. He’s doing a much better job of that.”
Taylor suffered a non-displaced left forearm fracture upon being hit by a pitch in the series finale against the Boston Red Sox. He estimated the recovery would take four to six weeks, and returns in the fifth week.
He appeared in four games while on a rehab assignment with High-A Rancho Cucamonga, making starts at shortstop, designated hitter (twice) and second base. Taylor went 6-for-14 (.429 batting average) with one home run, five RBI and one walk in those games.
Floro returns after being optioned just over two weeks ago. He appeared in six games for Oklahoma City during that span, allowing three runs (one earned) while issuing four walks in 4.1 innings pitched.
Garlick heads back to Oklahoma City one week after replacing Tyler White (right trap strain) on the Dodgers’ active roster. Garlick went 4-for-11 with two doubles, one home run, two RBI and two walks in five games (two starts) during that span.
In 30 games with the Dodgers, he’s hit .250/.321/.521 with four doubles, three home runs and six RBI. Garlick is among seven rookies who have made their MLB debut with the team this season.
Sadler did not appear in a game for the Dodgers after being recalled Saturday. Overall this year he’s allowed just one run in 12.1 innings across nine appearances with L.A.
Negron lands on the IL a handful of days after his faceplant on attempted diving catch. Negrón presumably will be reinstated once active rosters expand Sept. 1.
