The Los Angeles Dodgers made their first signing of the free agency window last week, bringing back World Series hero Miguel Rojas on a one-year deal last week.
Dodgers insider Doug McKain doesn’t believe the Dodgers will stop there, and will bring back veteran utility man Kiké Hernández as well.
“The Dodgers are interested in re-signing Kiké Hernández after re-signing Miguel Rojas,” McKain said. “…All signs point to Kiké Hernández being back with the Dodgers after that Miguel Rojas signing. I’m very confident that’s going to happen. You just have to wait towards spring training when that 60-day IL opens up, and he can sign, go on [the injured list] and rehab and hopefully he’s back in a couple of months.”
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Hernandez under went surgery on his left elbow this offseason, and is set to miss the first month or two of the 2026 regular season. The Dodgers would be able to keep a roster spot open if they’re to wait to sign Hernandez until the injured list opens up, which is the most likely case.
The 34-year-old has played nine seasons with the Dodgers across two stretches, the first of which came from 2015-2020.
Hernandez played 648 games with the Dodgers during his first stint in LA, hitting 68 home runs and logging 213 RBIs during that time. Across those six seasons, Hernandez had a .737 OPS.
After the Dodgers won the World Series in 2020, Hernandez elected free agency and signed a deal with the Boston Red Sox. He spent two and a half seasons in Boston, but couldn’t stay away from the Dodgers. Midway through the 2023 season, the Red Sox sent Hernandez back to the Dodgers, and he has been in LA since.
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Hernandez’s role has been largely supplementary since his return to the Dodgers, playing all around the field to meet the Dodgers’ needs. He has batted slightly below league average since coming back, but has been a key player for the Dodgers — especially in the playoffs.
He is now a three-time champion, all with the Dodgers, and has a .722 OPS in October over the past three seasons.
The Dodgers, if they are to bring him back, will hope he can recover quickly and continue providing a boost to the team as they look for their third consecutive World Series championship.
Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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2 Responses
They need to just give him a lifetime deal, to play for them until he retires, cuz he’s the heart of that team. I’m sorry but when you’re trying to win a WS every year, that’s how you’ll do it.
The next move they need to make though, bring back Belli. I’m sorry, Tucker is an above average player, and consistent, but so is Belli. Plus Belli can steal bases and play anywhere in the OF, and 1B. I know what the headlines say, but I disagree. Belli has more upside, more potential (Tucker has never hit .300, topped @ 30 HR, and steals no bases). Belli is a former MVP, for the Dodgers! They should sign him before Tucker signs, to send a message to the world that he is a better fit, and just as good, if not a better overall player than Tucker. It would boost the clubhouse and the fan base for the three-peat more than signing Tucker.
Ohh, and I wouldn’t be mad at signing Bichette and trading Pages or Teo. He’s one of the best pure hitters in baseball.
Hell no! Move on from him! We already have 2 utility players in Edman and Kim.