Teoscar Hernández returned to the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup on Monday after sitting out the previous game amid his season-long struggles at the plate.
While Hernández found some success in the series opener against the San Francisco Giants, he’s hitting just .248/.329/.380 with five doubles, four home runs and 17 RBI across 36 games this season.
“I think he’s missing pitches that he should hit, whether it’s fastballs or spin,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Hernández’s offensive woes. “I think sometimes he’s patient at the wrong time. I think he’s working through his mechanics, the hitting guys and he are really trying to work through diligently.
“He hasn’t been successful; he hasn’t really hit left-hand pitching in quite some time, which is kind of a surprise for me. But I just think for me, he’s working hard, he’s playing very good defense out there in left field, and I want him in the lineup.
“I want to give him the opportunity, as he’s earned, to continue to work through things. But I think with most players, it’s a combo of the mechanics, it’s the approach, it’s a combo right now. But I just don’t really have a clear answer on kind of what’s going on.”
Hernández went 2-for-3 with a double and walk against the Giants, which came after he was bumped down to the No. 8 spot in the Dodgers lineup for the first time this season.
“I don’t know,” Roberts answered when asked if Hernández will continue batting eighth for the Dodgers. “I just feel there’s been enough of a sample for all the guys that I think earning your place in the order matters too. And I think that Andy’s earned it, I think Max has earned it, and the other guys before.
“It’s not a knock on anyone; it’s just that’s the way it should be. And so I do know that when I can pencil Teo in the five or six hole, and we all feel good about that, we’re better for it. I do know that.”
While Hernández produced in the No. 8 spot, Roberts does not believe him batting lower will lead to the mentality of needing to set the table for the top of the lineup.
“Not necessarily,” Roberts began. “I get that, but I wanted to let the game come to him and just be himself. Take good at-bats, hit the ball hard, and then everything else takes care of itself. If he is doing that, then yeah, it’ll kind of bleed into the top for sure.”
Teoscar Hernández losing starts to Alex Call?
Roberts previously indicated that Hernández could lose some starts in left field to Alex Call, who is quietly having an excellent season with his bat.
While the 31-year-old could get more playing time, Roberts’ latest comments make it clear that Hernández will continue to get his fair share of opportunities as well.
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