The Los Angeles Dodgers announced 24-year-old utility man Kiké Hernandez will undergo minor right shoulder on Wednesday. The surgery will be performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles, and more information is expected to be available post surgery.
Hernandez was part of the package traded to the Dodgers last December in the deal that sent Dee Gordon, Dan Haren and Miguel Rojas to the Miami Marlins. Hernandez got off to a slow start in the spring with the Dodgers before finding his footing late.
He nonetheless began the season with Triple-A Oklahoma City, but was promoted to the Majors in late-April and he remained with the club for the rest of the season.
Hernandez’s ascension in Los Angeles included taking over for Joc Pederson in center field as the rookie went through a prolonged slump. However, some of the momentum Hernandez accumulated was slowed in August and September as a strained left hamstring forced him to miss 26 games.
Though, Hernandez did recover in time to make the Dodgers’ postseason roster. He finished the season batting .307/.346/.490 with seven home runs, 22 RBIs and a 132 wRC+ in 76 games.
Hernandez joins Yasmani Grandal and Justin Turner as players to undergo surgery following this offseason. Both Grandal and Turner are expected to be ready for Spring Training.
