The Los Angeles Dodgers have the best record in baseball despite dealing with a rash of injuries this season, including to expected regulars Edwin Díaz, Tyler Glasnow, Kiké Hernández, Will Smith and Blake Snell, among others.
Hernández started the season on the injured list while recovering from left elbow surgery, then started just two games before aggravating a left oblique strain. After his early exit on May 26, Hernández revealed he sustained the oblique strain during batting practice before his season debut the night prior.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said an MRI of Hernández’s oblique revealed a “significant tear” in the muscle and suggested he would miss a considerable amount of time.
When is Kiké Hernández returning?
Although the Dodgers initially worried Hernández could miss upwards of three months, they now anticipate a possible return around the end of July, per Katie Woo of The Athletic.
Kiké Hernández (oblique strain) is trending ahead of schedule, and the team is cautiously optimistic he’ll miss closer to the minimum of eight weeks projected than the 12.
Hernández has been going through fielding drills and this past Friday took batting practice on the field. That was followed by facing Díaz in a simulated game on Sunday.
“Honestly, he looks normal,” Roberts said over the weekend. “It’s really, I don’t want to say miraculous, but I’m really in disbelief how well he’s responded, given the injury. … Swinging, throwing, everything. There’s no compensation or feeling it. Certainly a quick healer. He’s working hard to get back.”
Given that was not transferred to the 60-day injured list, he already is eligible to be activated. Of course, that could change if the Dodgers find themselves in need of freeing up a spot on their 40-man roster. The paper move would not have much impact on Hernández’s timeline as he still faces more healing and additional steps in the rehab process anyhow.
Hernández went 4-for-4 with two doubles, one home runs and two RBI prior to landing back on the injured list. He expressed remorse over hiding the oblique strain that the 34-year-old initially hoped was more of a tweak that significant injury.
Hernández’s oblique injury has created an extended opportunity for Alex Freeland, who initially jockeyed with Hyeseong Kim for a roster spot.
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