Originally published by DodgerBlue.com
Among the current group of Los Angeles Dodgers free agents is Kiké Hernández, who missed nearly two months of the 2025 season because of a left elbow injury.
The utility man hit just .203/.255/.366 with eight doubles, 10 home runs and 35 RBI in 92 games and wasn’t his usual productive self during the playoffs, either.
Hernández underwent left elbow surgery at the start of the offseason and will be sidelined to begin the 2026 campaign.
During an appearance with David Vassegh at the Polo Ralph Lauren store in Commerce, Calif.,, Hernández suggested he expects to re-sign with the Dodgers even if it happens weeks down the road, via AM 570 L.A. Sports:
“Uh, I mean, yeah. But of course, I just had surgery, and I’m not going to be ready for Opening Day so there’s no rush. If it ends up working our way and we come back to L.A., all that matters is that I’m ready for the second half and ready to do my thing in October.”
When Hernández became a free agent after the 2024 World Series, he made a public plea to re-sign with the Dodgers. Although that ended up coming to fruition, it wasn’t until just before Spring Training began that Hernández finalized his new one-year contract.
A recent report suggested there is mutual interest for Hernández to return to the Dodgers in 2026, so he could very well have the same outcome as last offseason.
Kiké Hernández helped Dodgers sign Edwin Díaz
The Dodgers made a significant addition to their bullpen by signing former New York Mets closer Edwin Díaz to a three-year, $69 million contract.
The three-time All-Star revealed during his introductory press conference that his decision to join the team stemmed in part from a previous conversation with Hernández, who spoke highly of the organization.
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