When the Los Angeles Dodgers have needed to go stretches without Justin Turner, Corey Seager or an outfielder because of injury, they’ve managed to effectively do so in large part because of the versatility Kiké Hernandez and Chris Taylor provide.
So when Taylor suffered a fractured left forearm as a result of being hit by a pitch, it further amplified Hernandez’s importance. The Dodgers have not released a timetable for Taylor’s return, but he estimated the non-displaced fracture would keep him out four to six weeks.
Meanwhile, Hernandez himself fell victim to injury on Wednesday night as he was removed in the fifth inning due to left hand soreness. He experienced pain on a swing in the bottom of the fourth and managed to finish the at-bat after being checked on.
X-rays that night were negative and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was optimistic, though Hernandez underwent a subsequent MRI. The team has not yet released the results, but Hernandez is facing a stint on the 10-day injured list, according to Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
The Dodgers have not revealed a diagnosis from Kiké Hernandez’s exam Friday, but Roberts said Hernandez “still has pain” in his injured left hand or wrist and a move to the Injured List “seems inevitable.
Hernandez’s injury comes at an unfortunate time as he went into the Freeway Series finale batting .365/.431/.596 with three doubles, three home runs, 11 RBI and six walks in 17 games (12 starts) during July. He went 0-for-2 prior to being removed because of the hand trouble.
“The main difference is he’s staying in the strike zone considerably more,” Roberts noted when asked about Hernandez’s recent turnaround. “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.”
