Dodgers’ Kiké Hernández Provides Exciting Update From Spring Training
The Los Angeles Dodgers signed some of baseball’s biggest stars this offseason, but fans were not satisfied until the defending champions brought back utility man Kiké Hernández.
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President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman revealed how the Dodgers viewed the fan favorite throughout his free agency process.
“It wasn’t something for us if we were not able to line up with Kiké, we were going to go, ‘Oh, here’s the next best option.’ Like a lot of times you’re targeting a need, you have the player at the top of your list and then others,” Friedman said.
“In this case, it was Kiké or nothing.”
Hernández’s versatility is paramount to the Dodgers’ success. Though he may not be an everyday starter, he is able to fill in wherever the team needs him. When Freddie Freeman missed time last season, it was Hernández who played first. When Max Muncy dealt with an oblique injury, it was Hernández who played at the hot corner.
As Opening Day quickly approaches, it’s important all players are ready to travel to Japan for the Tokyo Series. Hernández provided an encouraging update Wednesday.
“Good day overall and it’s always good to get results even if it’s spring training,” Hernández said. “I feel like I’m in a pretty good spot and I’m pretty close to being ready for the season.”
Hernández is currently hitting at a .313 clip with five hits and two RBIs across 16 at-bats in Cactus League. On the defensive side, the utility man has not fielded a ball in multiple games but is hoping that drought ends soon.
Hernández has seen time at different positions this spring, and spoke about how he makes the adjustment to the switch each game.
“Trusting the muscle memory, the things that I’ve been doing for many years now,” Hernández said. “I feel like the game on defense is a lot easier for me than offensively. I always want the ball to be hit to me regardless of where I’m at. It’s just keeping the confidence and trusting that the ground ball today, it’s going to be the ground ball you’ve been taking for years. Even though I haven’t had a ball hit to me in awhile, it’s going to be there.”
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Photo Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
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