He’s a Walking Contradiction…

Posted By on February 14, 2026

Partly truth and partly fiction. That’s Kike Hernandez. Kris Kristopherson (God Rest His Soul) summed him up in his song, The Pilgrim:

Kike Hernandez is one of a kind! If the Dodgers are a Swiss watch, Kiké is the tiny gear that never makes the marketing brochure but keeps the whole thing ticking. In October, the temperature drops, and so do batting averages. Kiké’s does not. He’s built a reputation as a postseason swing changer. Big-game homers. Loud at-bats against elite pitching. Kike is the type of player who shortens the dugout’s heartbeat when the leverage meter turns red.

I know many Dodger fans think Kike “blocks” younger players and/or that his antics are just too much. Dodger players don’t think that. Kike is “beloved” by his teammates. In a 2024 postseason interview, Mookie Betts talked about how Kiké helped influence the way he approached the grind and emotional swings of October baseball:

“We’ve got guys in here that are leading the way and showing me how to do it. Kiké being a huge advocate for that and really getting me on that emotional train…” Betts and Kiké have appeared together on interview/talk segments (like On Base with Mookie Betts) where Betts invites Kiké into the conversation, highlighting him as someone worth sharing airtime with, which teammates don’t do unless they genuinely respect each other. Even though mainstream MLB reporting rarely prints direct praise statements like “Betts said Kiké is the best teammate ever,” the context above shows Betts publicly recognizing Kiké’s influence on his own performance and mindset, which is a strong form of respect in a professional clubhouse — especially between two star-level players. Some of you will say that Kike is not “star level,” but how do you rank what is “star level” in the postseason?

Kike has a career batting average of .236 with a .707 OPS. However, in the postseason, he has a .272 batting average and a .826 OPS. Below is the OPS Ranking Table. In the playoffs, he is very much a star. However, Kike injured his elbow in May 2025 and was not healthy the rest of the year, so if you say that he had a bad season and playoffs in 2025, you would be correct. However, you would be wrong if you allowed that to define him. After the World Series, he underwent elbow surgery to repair a torn extensor muscle/tendon that had detached from the bone. Playing through an inflammatory/torn tendon in his non-throwing elbow likely sapped his bat strength, comfort, and plate effectiveness — especially given how early it occurred in the season and how long he played through it.

He doesn’t have to be your 162-game star. He’s your October detonator. Just being in the dugout is sometimes all it takes with Kike. The Dodgers are talented, analytical, and composed. Kiké injects voltage. He keeps things loose. He bridges veterans and kids. That matters across 162 games when monotony can turn into tension. On a roster full of high-skill technicians, he’s the spark plug.

He historically mashes lefties. That gives the Dodgers platoon leverage, late-game pinch-hit upside, and October matchup chess pieces. When facing a nasty left-handed reliever in the 7th, having Kiké available shifts the tactical board. For a team that rotates through young players, Kiké absorbs volatility. If a rookie scuffles? Kiké can start. If a top prospect needs a mental reset? Kiké plays. If injuries stack up? He plugs holes without forcing a panic trade… at any position. That stability is undervalued but crucial.

He’s not your MVP candidate. He’s not your franchise cornerstone. He’s the infrastructure. Teams chasing titles don’t just need more stars. They need connective tissue. They need someone who can step into chaos and look comfortable. Kiké has made a career out of that. For a club like the Dodgers, with championship expectations every year, that kind of player is not a luxury. He’s a competitive advantage. If you’re ranking importance strictly by WAR, he sits in the middle tier. If you’re ranking importance by how many postseason games swing because of him, he climbs fast. And in October, that’s the only currency that spends.

Kiké Hernández has publicly shared that he has ADHD, describing it as both a “superpower” and “kryptonite” that contributes to his intense focus and chaotic energy, particularly in high-pressure postseason baseball games, where he thrives by staying in the moment, similar to last-minute project preparation. He explains his brain is “all over the place,” but this wiring allows him to maintain extreme focus during games, embracing the heightened electricity and chaos of October baseball. 

Meet Kike Hernandez: Dodger Glue! He will be on the IL for a while, but he will be here when it counts. He will also be in the dugout while he is on the IL. That is a huge boost to the entire team! I do not believe there is a more important player on the Dodgers than Kike. This should not be his last year! I hope he keeps playing after 2026. He’s not an everyday player. He can play until he’s 38 or 39. He is the Dodgers’ heart and soul. You don’t look at his stats: you look at the team results. His chaotic energy makes everyone play up!

There is only one: Enrique “Kike” Hernandez!

The Incomparable Max Muncy

We all know that Max recently signed an extension with the Dodgers. He might have gotten a lot more from another team… especially if he could DH as well. However, like Kike, Max is an unusual animal. SI had this to say about him:

“Part of me and who I am as a person and how I was raised, I like to be loyal to people. This organization took a chance on me when I was out of baseball, basically. That meant a lot to me. They stuck with me when things were going bad. They’ve never wavered on me at all. That means a lot to me in itself, and it’s just a place I’m very comfortable.

“My family’s comfortable here. We have a chance to win every single year. That’s why I play this game. I want to win. Obviously you make money in this game, but that’s not why I play. I play because I want to win. It’s the competitive fire that I want to go out and win as much as I can. That to me is worth more than money.

“I know I’m leaving money on the table, but I’m more than OK with with that because I wouldn’t be OK with myself trying to chase money somewhere else watching this team win and I’m on the sidelines. That’s just not who I am. I would rather win.

“Another component to it is just the relationship I’ve built here. Like I was just saying, I like to be loyal and my relationships mean a lot. I’ve created such a relationship with the staff, the front office, the coaches, the medial and training staff, the clubhouse guys. I just don’t want to create that somewhere else. Being here for my entire career at this point would mean the world to me, and this gives me the chance to do that.”

— Max Muncy in SI

I, for one, value Max Muncy right along with Kike Hernandez! They are Ballplayers. So are Tommy Edman, Miguel Rojas, and Alex Freeland! Plus, Max has a cool walk-up song:

This article has 77 Comments

  1. Good stuff, Mark.

    Extending Muncy fits in with this core’s timeline.

    The one thing I can’t get past is where all these damn minor league OFs will end up!

    Obviously some will bust and some will be traded but the list is so deep.

    I have to think one of two of them might volunteer to move to the IF.

    Davalan has played 2b before, for example.

    1. Well, Teo has two years left on his contract and if Tucker performs well there’s a good chance that he opts out after two. That’s right on the time line for the some of the kids to be hitting the majors.

      1. Freeman is aging as well. 2B is open. 3B should be Morales.

        2028:
        C- Smith/Rushing
        1B – DePaula
        2B – Hope
        SS – Betts
        3B – Morales
        LF – Quintero
        CF – Sirota
        RF – Pages
        DH – Ohtani

        The only stretch is Hope, but he’s a good athlete.

        1. I think those who think the positions in the future will be filled by 4 or 5 ‘kids’ are just dreaming a dream that will never happen..And more likely to be traded and have ‘great ‘ success like Vargas, Lux, Verdugo, etc

        2. Thanks for playing along. I have this fantasy that after 2027 we let the kuds take over. Ohtani, Betts & Smith remain, Pages and Edman are maybes, and 1B, 2B, 3B & a couple OF spots open.

          Agree about Morales at 3B. It’s his if he wants it. He’s a monster and could be our next homegrown superstar.

          1B is relatively easy to fill: Tibbs, JDP, Rushing, Harland, Ko?

          2B is tough. I love your crazy idea–I’ll stick with Davalan.

          OF I have to think Quintero sticks, either in CF or RF. Let’s put him in RF [sorry Pages] and let Sirota have CF. All he needs to do is stay healthy. LF is also easy: Hope, Ehrhard, etc.

          Meanwhile, our pitching pipeline has time to progress as our rotation is locked up for a while.

        3. Hard to imagine Tucker opting out unless he hates playing for the Dodgers and winning. He’s got a sweet , record-breaking deal. If the Dodgers love him, they might try to extend him.
          Interesting idea, putting Hope at 2B. But a waste of a huge arm. I read that Davalan played some 2B in college, so maybe…
          Tucker will be a Dodger through the ’29 season, and I suspect he’ll remain in RF. A shift to 1B to succeed Freddie is possible.
          The surplus of OF talent is bound to lead to a trade. A package for Skubal is easy to imagine.
          I’ve always liked the idea of training DePaula for 1B. Seems like a no-brainer. This would enhance his value for the Dodgers or in a trade.

  2. Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Ben Rortvedt is expected to clear waivers on Monday, February 16, 2026, assuming he is not claimed by another team.

  3. Dodgers Won’t Trade for Tarik Skubal, Says Insider

    “The Dodgers have taken interest in Skubal over the course of the offseason, with talks beginning during the Winter Meetings.

    Verducci named the Tigers as one of the favorites to represent the American League in the upcoming World Series, and doesn’t believe they would sell on potentially the best starter in MLB while they were at the top of the pack in the coming season.

    “…It’s hard for me to envision any kind of world where in the American League Central, the Tigers are out of playoff contention at the trade deadline. So I just don’t see it happening.”

    “I never really bought into that possibility,” Verducci said to Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain. “…I think Tarik Skubal likely is not going to re-sign to the Tigers. If he does, it’s going to be beyond anywhere the Tigers have gone, even with Miguel Cabrera. They’re a team that can win the American League pennant, and that’s with Tarik Skubal.

  4. This has been my belief all along. With Framber and JV (who might have one decent season left in him) the starters are deep (they have 4 more). They also have several young players who should be incrementally better this year. They are at the top of the AL with Toronto, NY, Seattle, and Baltimore. It will be a dog fight in the AL.

    In the NL, they should just give it to the Dodgers right now.

  5. Great stuff on Kiki and Max! Thanks Mark. I agree 100%. Both are critical for at least this year and next and I am rooting for longer.

  6. Despite all the criticism the Dodgers face, they are playing within the rules and doing what they can to win, which makes Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper happy. He’s tired of hearing people complain about the Dodgers ruining baseball.

    “I mean, I love what the Dodgers do, obviously,” Harper said to Tim Kelly of OnPattison. “I mean, they pay the money, they spend the money. I mean, they’re a great team. They understand how to run it. They run their team like a business, and they run it the right way. They understand where they need to put their money into. But also, people don’t look at this either. Their draft and their development is unbelievable, like they draft and they develop, and then they trade those guys for big name guys, and they can spend the money. So it’s, I don’t know it bothers me when everybody talks about the Dodgers are spending money. No, they draft, they develop, they do it the right way. They understand what it takes to be the best team in baseball. And you’ve seen in the last two years, they have so much depth. I mean, it was Will Klein, the kid’s name was, came in through six shutout innings like, I mean, you’ve seen in Arizona two weeks before, like, they have that type of dynamic on their club, and that’s what you when you think about drafting, developing and things like that. That’s that’s why they win, and that’s why they win a lot of games each year. So I love what they do. I understand what they do. I understand the madness behind it. But again, like each team at baseball has an opportunity to do the same, the same thing, maybe not the upper echelon of money, but they can draft, they can develop, they can trade. And I just, I think a lot of teams can do that in baseball.”

    Harper is probably upset he didn’t sign with the Dodgers when he had a chance to do so. How many World Series rings does he have since he signed with the Phillies? NONE to be exact.

    1. This is a big FU from Steve Cohen for signing Diaz.

      I can’t see him staying on the Mets roster, but if he stays there… OK.

      He’s not worthy of a roster spot.

      It’s not a big deal.

  8. Here’s what I will tell you:

    The Dodgers like Ben… not as a player but as a baseball guy.

    Austin Chubb was a catcher who rose rapidly as a Dodger instructor.

    That’s what they see in Ben.

  9. The Mets have two former Dodger Catchers: Austin Barnes and Ben Rortvedt. They are trying to figure out what the Dodgers’ “secret sauce” is.

    Imitation is the greatest form of flattery!

    1. Pitch around Soto and be careful with Bo. The rest of their lineup doesn’t scare me. Lindor rehabbing from surgery.

  10. I watched a show on the MLB Network called the Insiders with a panel of 3 sportswriters on Saturday. One of the panelist was Joel Sherman a well known and respected NY sportswriter. One of the topics was the Dodgers’ pitching. He was raving about Sheehan and Ryan and how talented both are and how important they will be to the Dodgers success in 2026. There are some on this site who wanted to trade either one in a package for Donavan and Skubal. AF and BG are smarter than all of us combined here and kept both and will be rewarded by their results. Rarely do they trade controllable pitchers unless they gets the better end of the trade.Remember what we’ve witnessed the last two years, “You NEVER have enough pitching NEVER”.

    1. Skubal scares me to death. His arm is going to fall off.

      Ken Kendrick, owner of the D-Bags:

      “The Dodgers are a very financially successful enterprise, very, very large revenues,” Kendrick said. “The Dodgers are honestly not overspending their revenues. They’re playing by the rules, and good for them and bad for us that they have a lot more revenue than we have. But I don’t have any bad feelings about what they do and how they do it.”

      1. The Dodgers don’t need Skubal to be successful. Whoever signs him to a long term contract will be sorry.

  11. Preller signed an extension and the Padres signed Ty France to a minor league deal. Pirates said to be DFAing Jack Suwinski.

  12. Preller signed an extension and the Padres signed Ty France to a minor league deal. Pirates said to be DFAing Jack Suwinski.

  13. I have made my thoughts on Kike known many times. He might have been excellent in prior postseasons, but he wasn’t that guy last year, at least in the World Series.

    1. Maybe not as a hitter but at defense he was critical. On that double play to end game 6, he played further in then what the suggested. His reasoning was that Jimenez wasn’t going to hit it deep to left field.

      In addition, on the trapped ball, he was the first to raise his hands. Dean raised his arms after he saw Hernandez do it.

        1. Yes with 93 games. He passed Justin Turner. Musher, he made one great defensive play, and yes it was critical, but on that fly ball that Pages caught, Kike was playing too shallow that is why he was sprinting back. He is who he is, and half the time he is playing the clown. Now if his bad elbow is all fixed, he might be a contributor come playoff time. He has shined in some big moments, but he is still nothing more than a utility player.

          2. Kevin, he has had some very good post season games, and he has had some bad ones. So, let’s look back, ok? He was 0-11 against the Cubs in the 2016 LCS after he was 4-13 in the LDS against the Mets. overall, 4-24. Not good. In 17 he was 1-3 against the D-Backs. In the next series against the Cubs, he was 4-9 with 3 homers and 7 driven in, all in game six. But he disappeared in the World Series against the Astros with a 3-13 line with just 1 driven in, no homers. In his next 3 playoff series he was just 5-41 with 2 homers and 3 driven in. Hardley the stuff of legend. He was 3-7 with a homer and 3 driven in against DC in 19. In 2020 in the four series the Dodgers played, he was a combined 6-31 with 2 homers and 4 driven in, both homers came against the Braves. That was his best series, he hit .308. He was in Boston in 21, where he actually had his best post season ever, He had 5 homers and 9 driven in with 20 hits in 49 at bats. In 23 and 24 he was good in the post season, but hardly a demon. 18 hits in 65 at bats with 2 homers and 8 driven in. In 25 he was 16-64 with 1 homer and 7 driven in, and he struck out 24 times including 15 in the World Series. He has performed better in the post season than the regular season, but a demon? Not even close.

    2. My daughter and I watched a few Dodgers documentaries on YouTube last night. Despite an ailing arm Kike still had some big hits in the postseason. He hit .250 overall and was big defensively. My son is a much bigger fan of his than I as a player, but between what he brings to the clubhouse, defense, and postseason production I’m good with him back. Kike isn’t really the masher against lefties that sometimes he’s made out to be either, but I’ve got a feeling come October I will be happy he’s on the roster.

      2. I do not dislike Kike at all, and I know he played hurt for much of the year. But to me personally, he is very overrated. He made one very good play that saved a game in last year’s World Series. That is his only series highlight. He stunk up the joint offensively. He struck out 15 times in 29 at bats. That just does not cut it. I am sure Alex Call could have made that play, and had better production at the plate, but they chose to play Kike because of his prior post-season heroics. Let us not forget that it was his high fore arm bash with Bellinger in the 7th game of the LCS in 2020 that dislocated Bellinger’s shoulder.

        1. LOL are you serious…..your critique of him is that he arm bashed a player that resulted in a inury?

          1. No, it is based on what I have seen the guy do over the course of his career. He has not ever been that great during the season. The guy is what he is. A bench piece. Had Conforto played up to what everyone thought he would do, Kike would not have been playing that much. He hasn’t been the same hitter against LHP that he was in several years. Kikes had some moments, that is fact, but the fact is also that the guy is a clown a lot of the time. He is good in the clubhouse and that is great, but as a player, his career numbers are just not all that.

  14. Per Sonja Chen:

    Tommy Edman will not be ready for Opening Day, Dave Roberts said, which doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Edman is taking swings, but the team is being “methodical” with his return from ankle surgery

    Roberts named Miguel Rojas, Hyeseong Kim and Alex Freeland as some options at second with Edman out. He acknowledged Kim and Freeland are essentially competing for the same role.
    As for center field, Roberts said Kim should see time there. The depth is limited behind Andy Pages.

    Per Plunkett:
    Roberts mentioned Santigo Espinal as “in the mix” for 2B until Edman is ready. Espinal just signed a minor-league deal with non-roster invite. Has big-league experience with Blue Jays and Reds over past 6 seasons. Career .261 average. Has played 2B, 3B, SS and some OF

    Per Ardaya/
    Alex Vesia just struck out Shohei Ohtani in live BP and let out a massive “yeah” afterwards. The crowd here at CBR chuckled.

  15. “The Dodgers are adding Santiago Espinal on a minor league deal, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Espinal is in big-league camp with the team. The veteran infielder is a client of Rimas Sports Agency.

    The Espinal news comes on the heels of the announcement that Tommy Edman will begin the year on the IL, which manager Dave Roberts shared with reporters (including Ardaya) this morning. Edman is coming off ankle surgery and was known to be taking a gradual approach to building up for the regular season”.

    The 31-year-old Espinal struggled mightily with the Reds last season. He posted a 58 wRC+ while spending time at all four infield positions, plus both corner outfield spots. Espinal, never known for his power, amassed 328 plate appearances without a home run. Cincinnati sent Espinal outright to Triple-A Louisville at the end of October. He rejected the assignment and entered free agency.

  16. There are 33 NRI’s, so the odds are decent that one might make it.

    We do know that Snell, Edman, Phillips, Treinen, Graterol, Kike, Stone, Ryan, and maybe Freddie are going to be slow-walked. So there could be openings, but barring a disaster, I don’t see any of the NRIs making it.

  18. Former Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler signed a minor league deal with the San Diego Padres on Monday.

  20. I just read that when the Dodgers signed Kyle Tucker, Dave Roberts immediately called Teoscar Hernandez and asked him if he would be willing to move to left field. Of course, Teo said yes. Roberts’ decision to contact Hernández first underscores the importance of communication and cohesion within the team. This kind of attitude is what the Dodgers need to remain title contenders. I think that there is a good chance that all three of the Dodgers’ starting outfielders can hit 30 HR and drive in 100 RBI each.

    It has happened before:

    1941 New York Yankees

    • Joe DiMaggio: 30 HR, 125 RBI (est.)
    • Charlie Keller: 33 HR, 106 RBI (est.)
    • Tommy Henrich: 31 HR, 113 RBI (est.)

  21. Next week, at this time, I will be at Camelback Ranch. We have an Airbnb in Scottsdale. We are opening up a branch for US Water Systems in Tampa in April, and next year, it will be Phoenix. My son and his wife want to move there and are looking at houses. My wife and I are considering a condo there and living there in the winter.

  22. Tony Clark To Step Down As MLBPA Executive Director

    “Tony Clark is preparing to announce his resignation as the executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, per a report from Evan Drellich, Ken Rosenthal and Andy McCullough of The Athletic. Clark has been in his current position since 2013”.

    1. Tony Clark To Step Down As MLBPA Executive Director

      “Tony Clark is preparing to announce his resignation as the executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, per a report from Evan Drellich, Ken Rosenthal and Andy McCullough of The Athletic. Clark has been in his current position since 2013.

      The 53-year-old Clark and the union have been under investigation since last summer due to purported improprieties regarding the usage of licensing money. Specifically, Clark has previously been alleged to have given himself equity in OneTeam Partners — a joint venture between the MLBPA and NFLPA — and failed to have sufficiently disclosed the level of resources being dedicated to Players Way, an MLBPA-owned youth baseball initiative that is under federal investigation.

      Clark had been scheduled to begin a tour of spring visits to the game’s 30 teams just this morning, but the first of those meetings (with the Guardians) was abruptly canceled. A statement is expected at some point today, per the New York Post’s Joel Sherman”.

        1. According to multiple reports, Clark resigned after an internal investigation revealed he had an “inappropriate” relationship with his sister-in-law, who was hired to work for the player’s union back in 2023.

  23. Rōki Sasaki performed very well in his first live batting practice (BP) session of Spring Training 2026 on Saturday, February 14, 2026. Facing live hitters for the first time this spring, Sasaki demonstrated both high-end velocity and an improved arsenal as he prepares to return to the Los Angeles Dodgers starting rotation.

    Key Highlights from February 2026 Session
    Velocity: Sasaki’s fastball was consistently high, touching 98.6 mph during the session.
    New Arsenal: He notably debuted a new slider that impressed observers and teammates. Korean infielder Hyeseong Kim evaluated the pitch as “good” after swinging and missing at it during the session.
    Physical Condition: Dodgers management, including General Manager Brandon Gomes, noted that Sasaki appeared stronger and more mechanically sound compared to his 2025 season.
    Overall Impression: Observers described the outing as “impressive,” with Sasaki himself stating that the ball felt like it was “coming out hot” and that the session went better than his previous bullpen sessions.

    Summary of 2026 Spring Training Start
    Category Performance Details
    Date February 14, 2026
    Peak Velocity 98.6 MPH
    Key Batters Faced Hyeseong Kim
    Notable Pitch Improved slider with significant movement
    Management View Confirmed for the 2026 starting rotation
    This strong start is a positive sign for the Dodgers as Sasaki looks to bounce back from an injury-interrupted 2025 season where he posted a 4.72 ERA in limited starts. Sasaki is currently expected to be a permanent fixture in the Dodgers’ 2026 rotation alongside stars like Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

  24. Pablo Lopez of the Twins has a torn ACL and will most likely miss the season. Mike Trout prefers to move back to CF. Trouble in Angel Land????

    1. Trout should DH – Nothing more. He doesn’t care about winning – all he wants to do is play.

      That sums up what is wrong with the Angels!

  25. Fangraphs top prospect list:
    https://blogs.fangraphs.com/2026-top-100-prospects/

    Five Dodgers ranked in their top 110

    Josue De Paula at 17 (As per TrueBlue: De Paula is ranked between 14th and 24th on prospect lists at FanGraphs, Baseball America, Baseball Prospectus, ESPN, The Athletic, and MLB Pipeline, with an average ranking of 18.5.)
    Zyhir Hope 41
    Eduardo Quintero 43
    Emil Morales at 61st and….
    River Ryan at 107th

    Looking at FanGraphs’s team rankings, the next prospects are: OF Sirota, pitcher Zazueta, and SS Freeland.

  26. Bill Plunkett gets some info out of Kim about his swing and reviews the Dodgers’ 2B situation:
    https://www.ocregister.com/2026/02/16/tommy-edman-wont-be-ready-for-opening-day-creating-an-opening-at-2b/

    Kim on his swing:
    “… The swing changes we made last year, I would say I felt about 70% comfortable,” Kim said through an interpreter. “And then this offseason and spring training, we were able to recognize some of the other stuff that we needed to work on, so I’m working very hard to make those changes again this year…”

    Roberts on Kim:
    “I think he got a good introduction to major-league pitching, and I think he’s going to be better this year. The surface line was fine for Hyeseong (a .280 average overall). He did a really nice job for us. I thought he had a great year for the opportunities he was given. I expect he’s going to have more opportunities this year and we’ll see where it takes him. But he’s a hard worker and he’s an easy, easy guy to bet on.”

    Roberts of Freeland:
    “I think at times the game sped up on him,” but he’s had a great winter, from talking with the hitting coaches. The swing is in a good place, right-handed, left-handed. I think for me it’s just taking good at-bats. What that means is taking walks, hitting the ball on a line, getting hits. Because, again, he’s a guy that doesn’t need to carry an offense. So I just want to see quality of at-bat and keep moving around the diamond.”

  27. “GLENDALE, Ariz. — Intent on coming back from a down year, Teoscar Hernández cut down a little himself.

    Hernández came into Dodgers camp with a trimmer physique, having shed 12 pounds in the offseason. He felt that he was a little heavier than usual last season, and he’s hopeful that getting back to where he was in previous years can help him perform better.

    “I wasn’t moving the way I know I can move,” Hernández said Tuesday. “That was one of my goals for the offseason — trying to get back in the shape I used to be, the weights that I know I can perform really good.”

    Hernández didn’t physically feel at his best for much of last year. He spent about two weeks on the injured list with a left groin strain in May, and he later said the injury lingered throughout the season. It impacted all aspects of his game, and coming off one of his best seasons at the plate in 2024, Hernández regressed in ’25, hitting .247 with a .738 OPS in 134 games. He was also worth minus-9 outs above average, the fourth-worst mark among qualified right fielders.

    While Hernández took it upon himself to make a personal change to address last year’s shortcomings, the addition of star right fielder Kyle Tucker brought a change that was out of his control: Hernández will shift to left field, where he saw most of his time in 2024″.

    BIG season for Teo in 2026.

    2. Teo’s 2-2 on championships here and if anything is a little underappreciated.

      A big year from him puts us in the stratosphere.

  28. Will buehler make it to the big leagues this season? Gonna suck seeing him in those ugly ass uniforms! I hope he does well against everyone else but the Dodgers. He was a stud once upon a time!

    Hate to hear about Pablo Lopez this morning. Everything you hear about him he is one of the best guys in baseball!

    Shopping for tickets to watch the Dodgers and pirates in June. Wife retires end of march, so going to go to more games here on the east coast! Exciting times being a Dodgers fan!

    I’m actually at my son’s college team’s baseball game today! Loved watching him play and now watching him coach the team he played for!

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