Kiké Hernández was lightning in a bottle for the Los Angeles Dodgers upon coming off the 60-day injured list, but his return lasted all of four at-bats over two games.
Hernández was lifted in favor of a pinch-hitter on Monday night, and on Tuesday came out early because of a left oblique strain. He had concealed the injury since feeling discomfort during batting practice before the series opener against the Colorado Rockies.
“I was pretty embarrassed that I did that. I didn’t really tell anybody about it, because I just thought it was a small tweak, little tightness,” Hernández explained after the Dodgers’ 15-6 win on Tuesday. “But today it felt more than that.”
Hernández further noted, “I feel pretty defeated right now.”
His belief — or hope — in not having an oblique injury stemmed from initially only feeling discomfort when at the plate. However, Hernández’s condition worsened on Tuesday, and it was at that point he needed to come out of the game and inform the Dodgers of his health issue.
“I only felt it when I was swinging. But then after that homer, in between innings when I was throwing to first, I was feeling it,” Hernández said. “When I hit the double, it didn’t just hurt to swing, it also hurt to run. So I knew that it was time to stop.”
The SportsNet LA broadcast showed Dodgers manager Dave Roberts speaking with and consoling Hernández in the dugout as the fifth inning began. At that point there had not been any reason shared for his removal.
“It’s a bummer. He’s missed a lot of time, worked hard to get back, was in great shape, added that spark that we had hoped,” Roberts said. “And then felt it a little bit [Monday] but wanted to see if he could make his way through it, and it just got a little bit worse and then we pulled the plug.
“Which I appreciate on his part. But I just feel bad for him, because he wanted to be back and worked hard. Certainly, we’re going to IL him and give him some time to get back. It’s not a season-ending thing, so that’s something to be hopeful with. It’s just a bummer.”
Alex Freeland replacing Kiké Hernández
The Dodgers plan to recall Alex Freeland from Triple-A Oklahoma City as the corresponding move to Hernández being put back on the injured list. Hernández is expected to undergo an MRI to determine the severity of his left oblique strain, but it stands to reason he will miss at least one month.
He already was not with the Dodgers for their first 53 games of the season due to recovering from left elbow surgery.
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