When the Los Angeles Dodgers opened camp it was understood the club would look to settle on backup shortstop prior to Opening Day of the 2017 regular season. The competition figured to be comprised of Charlie Culberson, Kiké Hernandez and Chris Taylor.
It was interrupted in some sense by Hernandez electing to join Team Puerto Rico for the 2017 World Baseball Classic. While he was away from the Dodgers, Culberson and Taylor continued to put their best foot forward.
Taylor also began to receive time in center field, which in some regard neutralized an advantage Hernandez may have held.
Since returning from the WBC, Hernandez has started four games, all at shortstop. He was in the lineup for Tuesday’s split-squad game against the Cincinnati Reds. Hernandez finished 1-for-2 and was hit by a pitch in the Dodgers’ 9-3 loss.
According to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, the utility man was sent for x-rays on his right wrist, which came back negative:
Enrique Hernandez is having x-rays after being hit by a pitch on the right wrist in the sixth inning.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) March 28, 2017
X-rays on Enrique Hernandez's wrist were negative.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) March 29, 2017
Over 11 Cactus League games, Hernandez has 10 hits, including three doubles, in 32 at-bats. He’s walked four times, compared to six strikeouts.
Taylor has had a superior spring than Culberson and Hernandez, and is already on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster. Though, that currently sits at 39 players, which would make adding Culberson relatively seamless.
Hernandez attempted to play through injury last season and scuttled, finishing the year batting a lowly .190/.283/.324 with eight doubles, seven home runs and 18 RBI in 109 games.
