Kiké Hernández has never been shy about his love for Los Angeles, and even as he recovers from offseason elbow surgery, it sounds like he’s eyeing another chapter with the Dodgers.
The versatile veteran-one of several Dodgers free agents this winter-is coming off a tough 2025 season. A left elbow injury sidelined him for nearly two months, and when he was on the field, the numbers reflected a player not quite at full strength.
In 92 games, Hernández slashed just .203/.255/.366 with eight doubles, 10 home runs, and 35 RBI. And come October, he wasn’t the postseason spark plug Dodgers fans have come to expect.
That elbow issue? It lingered enough that Hernández underwent surgery early in the offseason, and he’s expected to miss the start of the 2026 campaign. But that hasn’t cooled his interest in staying in Dodger Blue.
Speaking at a promotional event in Commerce, California, Hernández made it clear: he’s open to a reunion-even if it takes a while.
“Uh, I mean, yeah,” he said when asked about returning to L.A. “But of course, I just had surgery, and I’m not going to be ready for Opening Day so there’s no rush. If it ends up working our way and we come back to L.A., all that matters is that I’m ready for the second half and ready to do my thing in October.”
That mindset mirrors what happened last offseason. After becoming a free agent following the 2024 World Series, Hernández was vocal about wanting to return. It didn’t happen right away, but eventually, just before Spring Training, he inked a one-year deal to come back to Los Angeles.
Now, history might be repeating itself. There’s reported mutual interest between the Dodgers and Hernández for 2026, and while nothing’s official yet, it wouldn’t be surprising to see a similar timeline play out again.
Even in a down year, Hernández’s value to the Dodgers goes beyond the box score. He’s a clubhouse glue guy, a fan favorite, and someone who’s proven he can rise to the occasion in October. And as it turns out, his influence may have extended to the front office’s latest bullpen splash.
When the Dodgers landed three-time All-Star closer Edwin Díaz on a three-year, $69 million deal, the right-hander mentioned that a conversation with Hernández helped sway his decision. Díaz, formerly of the Mets, said during his introductory press conference that Hernández spoke glowingly about the organization.
That’s the kind of impact Hernández has-on the field, in the dugout, and apparently, in free agency pitches.
So while he won’t be ready for Opening Day, don’t count out a mid-winter reunion. If Hernández is healthy by the second half and ready to step up in the postseason, the Dodgers know exactly what kind of October magic he can bring.