Kike Hernandez Makes Progress in Recovery From Elbow Surgery
Los Angeles Dodgers utility player Kike Hernandez is not available for the early part of the season, but he is taking steps to get back on the field. Hernandez had elbow surgery over the offseason , hoping to return to full health after playing through the pain at the end of the 2025 season. He toughed it out and played throughout the playoffs, not missing a single game and lining up all over the field.
However, Dave Roberts’ wildcard is watching from the dugout for the time being. Oct 23, 2025; Toronto, ON, Canada; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Kike Hernandez (8) takes batting practice during World Series team workouts at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images According to The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya, Hernandez is hitting in batting practice, a positive step forward for the defensive ace who has also been seen fielding ground balls and moving on the field over the past few weeks.
Kiké Hernández is hitting on the field today, another positive step as he works his way back from offseason elbow surgery. pic. twitter.
com/K5wG1e9Ww9 — Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) March 28, 2026 After Hernandez’s session, Roberts was quite positive about where the player was at. “Taking grounders, the way he’s moving, the way he’s throwing, catching it, the swing, the ball coming off the bat, all that stuff, if I didn’t know any better, I would think he was in the lineup tonight,” Roberts said, adding that he would be “shocked” if he was not back by the end of his time on the 60-Day injured list. Kike Hernandez wants a three-peat Hernandez is seemingly quite motivated to win a third straight title.
When he signed his one-year deal, the righty made it clear that he was going for the three-peat. Amid the chatter about the Dodgers’ dynasty and the amount of money they spend, Hernandez is not taking the chance to contend and keep winning for granted. “I take it as a compliment, I take it as a privilege,” Hernández said.