The Los Angeles Dodgers placed Kiké Hernandez on the 15-day disabled list on Wednesday, retroactive to June 28, due to left rib cage inflammation. It was was one of two corresponding roster moves to clear room for the Dodgers to promote Brock Stewart from Triple-A Oklahoma City.
The timing of the DL stint means Hernandez won’t be eligible to return until after the All-Star break. After a strong showing with the Dodgers in a utility role last year, Hernandez began the 2016 season on the Opening Day roster.
However, the 24 year old cooled off considerably at the plate after a hot start. He batted .189/.280/.346 with five doubles, five home runs and 12 RBIs, while appearing in 65 games.
Coinciding with Trayce Thompson’s emergence, playing time for Hernandez began to dwindle as the season wore on. It appears some of his recent trouble may be attributed to injury.
According to Bill Plunkett of the OC Register, Hernandez felt discomfort during the Dodgers’ last homestand and was sent for X-rays:
Kike' Hernandez said he "tweaked" something in his left side making throws during some defensive work on #Dodgers homestand. X-rays negative
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) June 29, 2016
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts offered a more specific timeline on Hernandez’s injury, per Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
Hernandez ribcage has been inflammed for two weeks, Roberts said.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) June 29, 2016
The Dodgers are in fine position to absorb the temporary loss of Hernandez, as versatile infielder Chris Taylor was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday. Prior to that, Charlie Culberson and Hernandez spent time this season as Corey Seager’s backup at shortstop.
Culberson hit .259/.286/.333 (7-for-27) with three runs scored, two doubles and four RBIs in 15 games with the Dodgers.
