Popular Dodgers utility player Kiké Hernández announced his return to the Boys in Blue Thursday morning, news many have been patiently — or not so patiently — awaiting.
“What else did we expect? 3 in a row has nice ring to it. #WeBack” the fan favorite wrote on Instagram.
In typical Kiké fashion, he shared the news alongside a photo of him shrugging, a gesture he’d recently used to tease a fan who asked when he’d be coming back to the team.
But now, he’s back for his 10th season with the Dodgers, helping the team in its quest for a third-straight World Series title and fourth during Hernández’s tenure.
Hernández had Fans ‘Stressed’ About his Absence
Praise for Hernández poured in after the announcement, with many fans indicating they’d been waiting on that piece of news to emotionally buy-in on the season.
Dodgers player Kike Hernandez fires up crowd during the 2025 World Series championship celebration at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025.
“Finally! I was stressed,” wrote jessbaileyy11 on Dodgers Nation’s Instagram.
“???ok now let’s talk 3 peat ?,” commented bastiansmommy.
“LFG – stoked to have most of the gang back,” wrote jshreddah.
“Bout Time! We love you Kike!??,” said 0851ksc.
Sep 9, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) and first baseman Kike Hernandez (8) celebrate after the game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium.
“We have to keep him forever !!!! ??,” added nzyb411.
“This is the news we’ve ALL been waiting for… LFG ?,” said supersaiyansean.
Hernández also got some shoutouts from the fairer sex.
“WE THE LADIES ARE SO HAPPY ?,” said carmen_haro.
“Made my week!!!,” wrote tracherise_lbc.
Hernández’s Statistics and Impact
“Forever” might be a bit of a stretch for the 34-year-old Hernández, but while he’s in Los Angeles, the team is thrilled to have him.
Over his nine seasons with the Dodgers, he’s hit 95 home runs and knocked in 320 RBIs over nearly 1,000 games.
He’s also played every position on the field except catcher, and yes, that includes pitcher. On the mound, he has one strikeout to his name.
Oct 23, 2025; Toronto, ON, Canada; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Kike Hernandez (8) speaks to the media during media day and team workouts at Rogers Centre.
One of his biggest moments, though, came in the 2025 World Series. His catch in left field and quick throw to second base resulted in a double play, ending Game 6 and forcing the pivotal Game 7 against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Having had such a big impact on the sport’s biggest stage, his absence would surely have been felt by his teammates and the fans. Now though, fans are noting that all feels right again.
“Finally… they were making us suffer ????,” princesitalopeez wrote on Instagram.
Let us know in the comments how excited you are to have Kiké back and how you think he’ll play in his 10th season with the Boys in Blue.
Cameron is the Senior Editor for Dodgers Nation and LA Sports Report. He previously worked as a digital news producer for KTLA 5 News and a staff writer at the Beverly Press and the Camarillo Acorn. A native of Alabama, Cameron began his career covering high school sports for the Mobile Press-Register and Tuscaloosa News. He’s covered news in Southern California since 2017.
