The Los Angeles Dodgers welcomed Kiké Hernández back to the active roster on Tuesday and optioned Alex Freeland to Triple-A Oklahoma City as the corresponding move.
Hernández had been on the injured list since May 27 with a left oblique strain, which came shortly after recovering from offseason left elbow surgery.
The 13-year-veteran had missed all but two games of the season prior to his activation this week. However, he is not going to let the injuries he experienced this season affect the way he plays the rest of the way.
“No, because the way that I play the game, I only know one speed. That’s all-out,” Hernández said. “I tried to do that in my first couple rehab assignment games and it was like, you know what, just play free. I felt a little stiff by pretending to think about the injury.
“The way that I am, I play, and if it goes, it goes. I can’t change the way that I play because I don’t know how to play any other way.”
Hernández hit .258/.306/.394 with six extra-base hits between his two rehab assignments this season. He played at least one game at first base, second base, third base, left field and center field over that span.
He is not a main feature of the Dodgers lineup, or an everyday player for that matter, but Hernández has an important role on the team and the impact his presence brings is not quantifiable.
With two months remaining in the regular season, Hernández is looking to stay on the field.
“I feel great. I’m going to keep it short. I hope I last longer than two games this time,” Hernández said during his appearance at Dodgers All-Access on Monday night. “That’s all I’m going to say, because I don’t want to jinx it.”
Hernández made his first start since being activated, going 0-for-3 on Thursday. In his two previous appearances this season, he went a combined 4-for-4 with two doubles, one home run and two RBI.
Hernández was back in the lineup on Friday and went 1-for-2.
Kiké Hernández’s quick recovery from oblique injury
Hernández was initially projected to miss up to three months after an MRI revealed a “significant tear” in his left oblique. After being diagnosed with the injury, Hernández had a panic attack and was worried about his future.
But his recovery ended up taking just under nine weeks, and the utilityman is back and ready to contribute.
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