Teoscar Hernández was not in the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup on Sunday as they tried to avoid being swept by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
It came at a time when Hernández has struggled, and while Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has been vocal about the lack of focus and performance from his club in the previous few days.
Roberts stressed the importance of winning the series finale to avoid being swept, just one day after saying Saturday was an important game, before they lost. So it was notable Roberts did not include Hernández in the lineup in a game he viewed as more important than normal.
“I think clearly he hasn’t handled right-handed pitching, I think a two-day reset can help,” Roberts said. “He’s an everyday guy, but I do think where we’re at, you’ve got to perform to warrant being out there every single day, regardless.”
Instead of Hernández, it was Alex Call who started in right field. Call has hit .244/.333/.378 in 22 games with the Dodgers since being acquired from the Washington Nationals, while also playing quality defense.
But more recently, Call is hitting .300/.387/.467 in his last 15 games. Meanwhile, Hernández is batting .185/.233/.389 in his last 15 games, also adding poor defense that often looks like a lack of effort.
“I just think it’s to the point of the urgency piece,” Roberts further explained. “You’ve got to perform. Certain guys earn and deserve from what I see. If you play well, you’re going to play, and I think that’s the way it should be. Especially with where we’re at right now.”
It’s also not a recent trend for Hernández, who has been among the worst hitters on the team for quite some time.
Since June 1, Hernández is batting just .209/.252/.382 in 68 games, giving him a .634 OPS and 72 wRC+, both the lowest marks on the team in that stretch among players with at least 200 plate appearances. It’s a group that also includes Michael Conforto.
“I think that’s a good thing,” Roberts answered when asked if Hernández is an example of a player who can’t get too comfortable being in the lineup. “No one is going to be exempt. No one. I just think we’ve got to pick the best players for who’s playing. That’s just the way it should be.
“Obviously Shohei is going to be playing, Mookie is going to be playing, but the point being, we’ve got to ramp it up and be better. If some other guys deserve more opportunities, then they’re going to get them. That’s just the way it should be.”
Roberts also previously called out Hernández’s defense earlier in August. The skipper said it wasn’t from a lack of effort, but given his other remarks and actions, and watching Hernández in the outfield, it’s not difficult to draw the conclusion that effort was a factor.
Hernández later noted that he has been playing right field with more effort, and that has passed the eye test as well.
Dodgers evaluating Teoscar Hernández, left field
Roberts was also asked if his evaluations of who deserves more playing time and opportunities extends to left field as well, given Conforto’s struggles this season.
“Yeah, it does,” he replied.
Conforto has been given an extended runway this year with minimal success, but Roberts has seemingly seen more effort from the veteran outfielder.
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