Dodgers News: Kiké Hernandez Aims For Late September Return
The last time Los Angeles Dodger fans saw utility player Kiké Hernandez in the lineup was on August 30. Hernandez had been playing a crucial role with the team by filling in for the injured Howie Kendrick, before Chase Utley was acquired, and eventually took over the starting center field job.
Although Dodger faithful love seeing Hernandez on the sideline cheering on his teammates or being the Rally Banana, they would rather see him back on the field, contributing and getting back in sync before embarking on a potentially historical team.
After being sidelined with a strained left hamstring, stemming back to Hernandez hustling down the first base line on a grounder, the training staff thoroughly watched over the second-year player and put him on the 15-day disabled list.
According to J.P. Hoornstra of the LA Daily News, the Puerto Rico native is ahead of schedule and is beginning to test the injury:
Kiké Hernandez says he is ahead of schedule in hamstring rehab. Will try to start running Friday in Arizona. (Chase Field, not Camelback)…
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) September 9, 2015
The Dodgers have an off day on Thursday, before heading out to Chase Field to begin a three-game set over the weekend against the Arizona Diamondbacks. During their time in Arizona, Hernandez will be able to test out his hamstring and will thus be able to get a better sense of how far along he has come in order to return.
After coming to a conclusion, Hernandez has apparently set a target date for his return if everything goes smoothly as planned:
…Hernandez is now targeting a return during the final week of September.
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) September 9, 2015
In 71 games played this season, Hernandez is slashing .308/.350/.492, with six home runs and 21 RBIs. The utility of the right-handed hitter has been unprecedented this season, as he has played 20 games at second base, 16 in left field, 16 at shortstop, and 14 in center field.
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