Editorials

Dodgers News: Kiké Hernandez Taking Assignment To Minors In Stride

Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports
Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports

After the Los Angeles Dodgers finished their spring with a 6-6 tie to the Los Angeles Angels, the team trimmed it’s roster to the Opening Day requirement. Among those left off the Major-League roster was Kiké Hernandez, who hit the game-tying home run in the ninth inning on Saturday.

Despite being sent to the Minors, Hernandez is taking it all in stride. With the Dodgers, he would’ve been coming off the bench with limited opportunities to shine. He won’t have that problem in the minors and is looking forward for his opportunity to prove his worth, according to True Blue L.A.’s Eric Stephen:



They want me to play every day, so I’ll go down there, play every day and do my thing,” Hernandez said. “They said there just wasn’t any room for me right now, so just be patient.”

Although Hernandez will begin in the Minors, manager Don Mattingly envisions the utility man seeing plenty of action on the Major-League level this season, via the Associated Press on ESPN:

His spring for me was kind of a tale of two stories,” Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. “He started off a little bit slow, but then it just all of a sudden clicked for him. The fact that he was playing all over the diamond and in center field is what makes him so valuable. Kiké showed us that he can really play. And I think before the year is over, you’re going to see a lot of Kiké and see his value.”

In his first Spring Training with the Dodgers, Hernandez struggled out of the gate, but eventually was able to turn things around. He finished hitting .267/.279/.600 with six home runs and 12 RBIs. In addition, his defensive ability stuck out as he’s capable of filling in at nearly every position.

While Hernandez had bright moments and the Dodgers are high on his potential, they seemingly elected to go with the more-experienced Darwin Barney on the 25-man roster. Though, Alex Guerrero’s contractual clause that prevents him from being optioned to the Minors without his consent and improved play may have also impacted Hernandez’s chances.

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Dodgers Utility Man Justin Turner


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