Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Praises ‘Swiss Army Knife’ Kiké Hernández
You may have heard already, but just in case you didn’t, the Los Angeles Dodgers made quite the trade on Tuesday.
LA reacquired fan favorite Kiké Hernandez from the Boston Red Sox yesterday, both setting off a reunion with the utility man who called Los Angeles home for six seasons and filling a hole on the Dodgers roster in the process.
Hernandez proved himself to be a more than capable defender around the diamond, as he was able to play both middle infield spots as well as every outfield position if needed. He also had a good enough bat to be a threat offensively, and while that bat had been cold for Hernandez in Boston, he should still be a solid player for the Dodgers in his second stint with the franchise.
He hit .222/.279/.320 with six home runs and 31 RBI for the Red Sox this year, but fell out of favor with Boston as his offensive inconsistency proved to be a significant hurdle for the last place team.
That said, he has a solid bat on his resume, and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is looking forward to Hernandez getting his feet back on familiar territory, as he told J.P. Hoornstra of the Orange County Register.
“He obviously helped us win a championship and had his best years in a Dodger uniform,” Roberts said of Hernandez. “I know fans are excited. He has a great relationship with fans, does a lot of stuff in the community. For us, it’s more of, he hasn’t had the best of seasons but being back home, familiarity, can tap back into the player that we know he can be and have seen.
via the Orange County Register
Hernandez figures to provide more stability in the middle of the Dodger infield — he’ll be in the lineup and playing at second base on Wednesday afternoon — and Roberts praised his versatility after the trade went through.
“He’s a Swiss army knife. He’s one of the most talented baseball players I’ve been around. I’m excited to see him blend in with this ball club.”
via the Orange County Register
Hernandez’s second chapter with the Dodgers began with smiles, a bit of dancing and a pair of base hits in a loss on Wednesday.
The Dodgers are in first place in the NL West as of late July, and if Hernandez’s return to Los Angeles goes as all parties hope, he’ll again be playing a part in a deep run through October.
Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
