After the Los Angeles Dodgers were eliminated in the National League Division Series by the New York Mets, Yasmani Grandal and Justin Turner underwent their respective surgeries, as was largely expected.
However, they were joined shortly after on the rehab trail by Kiké Hernandez. The 24 year old underwent an arthroscopic clean up on his right shoulder in early November and was said to be fully recovered by Spring Training.
The scheduled operation came after Hernandez requested the medical staff examine his shoulder. He’d spent the past two seasons throwing with some pain and an MRI revealed the need for minor surgery.
Hernandez was among the several position players who arrived at Camelback Ranch and were participating in workouts ahead of the expected report date.
While he is on pace to be ready by Opening Day, Hernandez isn’t quite full-go in camp. According to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, the utility man is only spending time in the infield:
“I don’t have any pain. I’m not 100 percent, but I’m close,” said Hernandez, who has worked this week as the main backup at shortstop to rookie starter Corey Seager. “For now, just the infield. Maybe by the middle of the exhibition games I can play the outfield.”
Hernandez bounced around for the Dodgers last season, spending time at second base (20 games; 15 starts), center field (19 games; 18 starts), left field (17 games; five starts), shortstop (16 games; 11 starts), right field (two games; one start) and third base (one start).
He spent the latter portion of the year in center as Joc Pederson continued to struggle at the plate. Hernandez hit .307/.346/.490 with seven home runs, 12 doubles, 22 RBIs, a .359 wOBA and 132 wRC+ over 218 plate appearances.
He was in line to possibly compete for a starting job at second base, but that opportunity closed when the Dodgers re-signed veteran Howie Kendrick to a two-year contract. Hernandez may still receive time at second, but figures to be in store for another season as a super-utility player.
