The Dodgers are running it back with one of their most trusted October weapons. Kiké Hernández is returning to Los Angeles on a one-year, $4.5 million deal for the 2026 season - a familiar face, a familiar spark, and a player who’s become almost synonymous with postseason heroics in Dodger blue.
But this reunion comes with a wrinkle. Hernández underwent left elbow surgery this offseason - and it turned out to be a more significant repair than initially expected.
He’s already ruled himself out of the upcoming World Baseball Classic and has suggested he could miss “a month or two” of the regular season. That puts his likely return somewhere between late April and mid-May, assuming his rehab stays on track.
For the Dodgers, this isn’t just about nostalgia or good vibes (though Hernández brings plenty of both). This is a calculated move to retain a player who’s delivered time and again when it matters most - even when less than 100%.
Take last October, for example. Hernández aggravated his elbow during the NLCS but still managed to appear in all 17 of the Dodgers’ postseason games.
He capped it off with a signature moment: turning a critical double play in Game 6 of the World Series to help lock down another title for L.A. That’s the kind of presence that doesn’t show up in a box score - but it can change the course of a series.
The elbow injury, however, wasn’t just a postseason issue. It dates back to a head-first slide into home plate against the Guardians on May 28.
He tried to gut it out, but by early July, the pain had become too much, and he landed on the injured list. What was initially thought to be a short stint turned into nearly two months on the shelf.
He didn’t return until August 25, after non-surgical treatments failed to fully resolve the discomfort.
The toll was evident in the numbers. Hernández finished 2025 slashing .203/.255/.366 with 10 home runs over 92 games - a noticeable dip from his usual offensive output. Now, with the full picture of his elbow issues, that drop-off makes a lot more sense.
Still, the Dodgers know what they’re getting. Hernández isn’t just a bat - he’s a Swiss Army knife on defense.
He can play second, third, shortstop, and both corner outfield spots without missing a beat. That kind of versatility is gold over a 162-game season, especially for a team with championship aspirations and a deep roster to manage.
The Dodgers don’t need to rush him back. They’ve got the depth to cover his absence early in the season, and they’re coming off back-to-back World Series titles - the urgency isn’t in April, it’s in October. Hernández’s value has always been magnified in the postseason, where his combination of experience, energy, and clutch gene has made him a fan favorite and a manager’s dream.
At 34, and coming off elbow surgery, the Dodgers will likely be strategic with his workload. Quick-twitch movements, throws from multiple angles - these are demands that put stress on an elbow, and they’ll want to make sure he’s peaking when it counts. That’s not a knock on the deal; at $4.5 million, it’s a low-risk investment in a player who’s consistently delivered on the biggest stage.
So while the Dodgers will need to navigate the early part of the season without him, they know what they’re playing for. And when October comes around, don’t be surprised if Kiké Hernández is right back in the middle of things - turning double plays, delivering timely hits, and reminding everyone why he’s been such a vital part of this Dodgers era.