Teoscar Hernández has started in all 79 of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ games this season, providing them with a right-handed power bat and solidifying the outfield.
However, Hernández was not in the Dodgers’ lineup for their series opener against the Chicago White Sox on Monday. There was concern around Hernandez not being in the lineup due to the team having an off-day on Sunday, and a left-hander in Garrett Crochet is on the mound.
The good news for the Dodgers is Hernández is not expected to be out of the lineup for long. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts shared Hernández was out of the lineup due to a personal reason, and he is currently away from the club but expected back on Tuesday, via Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times:
#Dodgers OF Teoscar Hernandez flew home to the Dominican Republic for a “personal reason,” MGR Dave Roberts said. He is expected back tomorrow. Team will play a man short tonight.
— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) June 24, 2024
Without Hernández in the lineup, the Dodgers are utilizing an outfield of Miguel Vargas, Andy Pages and Jason Heyward. Heyward is filling in for Hernández in right field, making it a rare start for the platoon-player against a left-hander.
Overall this year, Hernández has been a key piece to the Dodgers’ offense, especially against left-handers. The 31-year-old is hitting .254/.321/.492 with 18 home runs, 54 RBI and 43 runs scored and a 130 wRC+ in his 79 games played.
Against lefties, Hernández is batting .274/.307/.607 with eight home runs and a 153 wRC+. Crochet is one of the better southpaws in baseball, so the Dodgers will face a tough test without one of their best bats.
Dave Roberts had praise for Teoscar Hernández
The Dodgers signed Hernández in the offseason to help solidify an outfield with questions and add some right-handed power to their lineup. Consistently finding himself in spots to drivers runners in, the 31-year-old is second on the team in RBI behind Shohei Ohtani’s 57.
His .813 on-base plus slugging is fifth on the club among the Dodgers’ regular starters, and fourth among their currently active hitters. Hernández has stepped up in big moments for the team, a quality that Roberts has taken note of.
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