Kiké Hernández isn’t on the Dodgers’ 2026 roster just yet - but let’s be honest, that feels more like a formality than a question mark.
Last year, he waited until just before spring training to re-sign with Los Angeles. This time around, he’s coming off offseason elbow surgery and working his way back without a set return date.
The Dodgers, meanwhile, are managing their 40-man roster carefully as they navigate a busy offseason. So no, Kiké isn’t taking up a spot right now - and that’s by design.
The likeliest scenario? Once the 60-day injured list opens up, or once Hernández is closer to being game-ready, the Dodgers will bring him back into the fold. It’s a move that makes sense for both sides and one that’s been telegraphed for weeks.
Still, a few fans started raising eyebrows when the Dodgers signed utility man Andy Ibáñez to a one-year major league deal and briefly added Ryan Fitzgerald off waivers (Fitzgerald has since been designated for assignment). The concern: Are the Dodgers moving on from Kiké?
The short answer: No, not at all.
According to Dodgers insider Katie Woo, the team remains aligned with Hernández and is simply playing the waiting game. “There’s no reason to sign Kiké right now,” Woo said, pointing to the value of keeping that 40-man roster spot open while Hernández recovers. “They’re just seeing how this recovery goes.”
And that’s the key - this isn’t about whether the Dodgers want Kiké back. It’s about timing and roster flexibility. Signing him now would eat up a valuable spot on a roster already packed with talent and in flux during the offseason.
So what about Ibáñez? Is he a threat to Hernández’s role?
Not really. The 30-year-old has a career .694 OPS and was non-tendered by the Tigers after struggling to hit lefties - a skill that had previously been his calling card.
He’s a depth piece, not a replacement. If Hernández is healthy and ready, Ibáñez is likely the odd man out.
Simple as that.
Now, if the Dodgers were to swing a trade for someone like Brendan Donovan - a true Swiss Army knife with a high on-base rate and defensive versatility - then we’d be having a different conversation. Donovan can do a lot of what Kiké does, and arguably at a higher level.
But that’s not the case here. This is Ibáñez we’re talking about, not a game-changing utility upgrade.
Let’s also not forget what Hernández still brings to this team. Even if his 2025 postseason wasn’t his finest, he’s been part of three World Series-winning Dodgers squads. His ability to play all over the diamond, his energy in the clubhouse, and his knack for showing up in big moments still matter - especially for a team with championship aspirations.
When the time is right, the Dodgers will re-sign Kiké Hernández. The deal won’t break the bank, and it’ll restore a familiar and important piece to the clubhouse.
For now, it’s just a matter of letting the recovery run its course and keeping the roster flexible. But make no mistake - the Dodgers still want their glue guy back.
And chances are, they’ll get him.