The Los Angeles Dodgers have activated veteran utilityman Kiké Hernández from the injured list, officially welcoming him back to the active roster. Hernández had been sidelined since May 26 with an oblique strain.
This marks Hernández's second stint on the injured list this season. He initially began the year on the IL while recovering from offseason elbow surgery, making his season debut on May 25. Shortly after returning, he suffered the oblique injury during batting practice. Despite attempting to play through the discomfort, the pain intensified, leading to his removal from a game on May 26.
Hernández described feeling "pretty defeated" at the time, expressing concern that continuing to play could jeopardize the rest of his season. However, he has made a relatively swift recovery from what manager Dave Roberts characterized as a "significant tear" in his left side muscle. Within five weeks, Hernández was resuming baseball activities, including hitting and defensive drills.
He recently completed a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he played in seven games, recording eight hits, two doubles, and a home run in 24 at-bats. Now back with the Dodgers, Hernández is expected to resume his versatile role, providing depth at second base, third base, and in the outfield. His return also adds another right-handed bat to the lineup from the bench.
To make room on the roster for Hernández, infielder Alex Freeland has been optioned back to Triple-A Oklahoma City. The Dodgers, who are seeking to bolster their roster before the upcoming trade deadline, may look to move Alex Call, a fellow right-handed hitter and backup outfielder, given Hernández's return.