LOS ANGELES — Fan-favorite super-utility man Kiké Hernández introduced his return to the Dodgers on social media Sunday with a spotlight video captioned, “Strolling by way of the open door.”
The membership made the one-year, $6.5 million deal official on Tuesday, putting right-hander Gavin Stone on the 60-day IL so as to clear a 40-man roster spot for Hernández.
Even with the Dodgers making loads of waves throughout their bustling post-championship offseason, basic supervisor Brandon Gomes made one factor clear final week: “We might by no means shut the door to Kiké.”
With Hernández again within the fold, the Dodgers are doubtless performed making additions to the roster — save for the anticipated re-signing of Clayton Kershaw.
The Dodgers have struck a stability between including a few of the high expertise in the marketplace whereas additionally bringing again some key members from their championship crew. Hernández, who joins Teoscar Hernández and Blake Treinen as returnees to L.A. in free company, was reliably the spark plug the Dodgers wanted to convey house their eighth World Collection title.
Hernández’s worth is at its highest when the lights are brightest, as he has a profession .874 OPS within the postseason with 15 house runs. Since 2021, he is hit .352 within the postseason with seven homers and a 1.008 OPS.
“We’re in Los Angeles. A few of the biggest athletes of all time. And people nice ones aren’t afraid to fail,” supervisor Dave Roberts stated final October, after the Dodgers superior to the NLCS. “If you discuss in regards to the postseason in no matter sport, you possibly can’t be afraid to fail. And this man all the time rises to the event.”
Hernández, an 11-year veteran, gives bench depth and defensive versatility. Although an total below-average hitter (profession 92 OPS+), Hernández is a serviceable platoon participant who nonetheless supplies occasional pop, as evidenced by his 12 homers for the Dodgers over 126 video games in 2024.
His manufacturing has been hampered considerably in current seasons by accidents and well being points. Although he has a profession .713 OPS, Hernández has hit nicely under that previously two seasons. However his .654 OPS in 2024 was his highest since he had a .786 OPS with the Purple Sox in 2021. Hernández has a strong eye on the plate, as his 26.4% chase price in 2024 confirmed, and his 19.6% whiff price final season was additionally higher than common. He additionally hits the ball with a median exit velocity slightly below 90 mph, which is above the league common. Nonetheless, he hit simply .229 with a .281 on-base proportion in 2024.
On protection, Hernández is kind of versatile. In 2024 alone, he performed first base (18 video games), second base (10), third base (71), shortstop (9), left subject (15) and middle subject (11) for the Dodgers. He even made 4 pitching appearances in blowouts. For his profession, he is performed a minimum of 43 video games at each infield and outfield place.
The Dodgers have spent the offseason assembling a roster geared towards doing one thing that hasn’t been performed since 2000: repeat as World Collection champions. It is a deep, proficient and crowded.
