Kiké Hernández is back with the Dodgers after missing seven weeks with left elbow inflammation. The infielder/outfielder was activated off the injured list before Monday’s series opener against the Reds at Dodger Stadium.
Hernández was placed on the IL on July 7, though manager Dave Roberts said at the time it was an issue Hernández was dealing with for most of the previous month. The elbow bothered Hernández most while hitting, and the statistics back that up — he was in a 5-for-52 (.096/.161/.192)
slump over the previous five weeks.
Last week in Tacoma, Hernández played five games on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City, and had five hits in 14 at-bats, including two doubles, with two walks and a stolen base, hitting .357/.438/.500. He played one game each at third base, left field, and center field in addition to two games at designated hitter.
Hernández per usual has started games at five positions for the Dodgers this season, and gives the team another potential outfield option.
Infielder Buddy Kennedy was designated for assignment to make roster room for Hernández. Claimed off waivers on August 15 to fill in as an extra infielder when Max Muncy was placed on the injured list, Kennedy was the 2,000th player in Dodgers history. He started six of his 10 games active at third base, and had one RBI single in his 17 at-bats.
Kennedy also clears a 40-man roster spot, which will be needed whenever Michael Kopech is considered ready to return from meniscus surgery. Kopech, who allowed three runs in his first rehab game for Oklahoma City but has pitched four consecutive scoreless appearances since, is first eligible to be activated off the 60-day injured list on Wednesday.
