Teoscar Hernández began a rehab assignment with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Saturday as he inches closer to returning to the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup.
Hernández played four innings in right field and went 0-for-1 with two walks at the plate. It was his first game since May 5, when Hernández sustained a left groin strain against the Miami Marlins.
Hernández was placed on the 10-day injured list after undergoing an MRI and manager Dave Roberts said the initial belief was he would miss significant time. But Hernández quickly improved and ramped up his rehab with the hope of returning the Dodgers sooner than anticipated.
Hernández could potentially play in another rehab game with the Quakes on Sunday before rejoining the Dodgers.
“I think [Sunday] is a day game, so if he does play, I think he’ll probably be the DH,” manager Dave Roberts said. “If he does play. He might choose not to play.”
The 32-year-old doesn’t need a lengthy rehab assignment partly due to taking at-bats against Emmet Sheehan twice and also facing Dodgers prospect Maddux Bruns in simulated games at Dodger Stadium.
Hernández has been one of the Dodgers’ most productive hitters this season, batting .315/.333/.600 with 10 doubles, nine home runs and 34 RBI in 33 games.
At the time of his injury, Hernández was MLB’s RBI leader and second on the Dodgers in home runs.
When is Teoscar Hernández returning?
Roberts reiterated Hernández is on track to being activated off the 10-day IL on Monday. That would put him back in the Dodgers lineup in time for the start of their series with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Along with Hernández’s imminent return, the Dodgers are slated to get back Tommy Edman for their series finale against the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday.
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