Dodgers News: With Jonny DeLuca Heading to IL, Addition of Kiké Hernández Now Much More Important

With less than one week until the MLB Trade Deadline, the Los Angeles Dodgers pulled the trigger and made a trade with the Boston Red Sox, creating a reunion with utility man Kiké Hernandez.

While that trade was a necessary depth piece at the time, it became even more important when rookie outfielder Jonny DeLuca left Tuesday’s game with an apparent hamstring injury.

After the game, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed DeLuca had a right hamstring strain and was likely heading to the injured list, with his spot on the roster being replaced by Hernandez.

That makes his role on the team significantly more important.

The addition of Hernandez makes sense for a team of reasons. Here are just a few of how he’ll fit in.

First and foremost, there has to be plenty of players in the Dodgers’ clubhouse that are excited to welcome back Hernandez, especially those like Mookie Betts, Clayton Kershaw and Max Muncy who won the World Series with Hernandez back in 2020.

So, if there’s someone asking the question, “Could this be a morale booster in the clubhouse?”

Short answer: Hell yeah it is!

Now for Dave Roberts’ part of the job, Kiké helps out tremendously.

Described as a “super utility man”, Kiké Hernandez fills the infield void that the Dodgers have been dealing with all season long. Playing shortstop, second base and pretty much anywhere else he’s needed makes him more than a regular versatile player that we’re used to seeing in the Majors.

Hernandez will suit up both in the infield at outfield for LA, likely playing a majority of time in center field and at second base — especially now that DeLuca’s out. He’ll likely only play against left-handed pitching, and be in a platoon, able to come off the bench in late-game situations.

On the flip side of things, Hernandez is not returning to Los Angeles looking as good as when he first left. On the year, Hernandez has only 6 home runs, 31 RBIs and an OPS of .599.

Hernandez has also struggled all season long when it comes to batting against left-handed pitchers, hitting just .260 against lefties this year with an OPS of just .652.

For the Dodgers, it seemed to be pretty simple. Bring back a familiar face that has a game you are familiar with, and if it’s need in development, then you can work on that, too.

All in all, as much as the Dodgers needed Kiké Hernandez, Hernandez probably needed the Dodgers even more as he now looks to rejuvenate his season back in Los Angeles. But with DeLuca out, they need him much, much more.

Dodger fans will get their first second look at Kiké on Wednesday as he’s likely to start against the Toronto Blue Jays with a lefty on the mound. He should get a warm welcome back at Dodger Stadium.

Photo Credit: Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

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