Kiké Hernández, a key figure in the Los Angeles Dodgers' recent success, finds himself sidelined as the team places him on the 60-day injured list. The versatile veteran, who inked a one-year, $4.5 million deal earlier this month, is still on the mend from offseason elbow surgery.
This move was anticipated, given Hernández's ongoing recovery and the impact of his elbow issues on his offensive performance last season. Despite his struggles at the plate, his defensive prowess remained unaffected.
Hernández's stats last season-.203/.255/.366 with eight doubles and 10 homers-reflect a dip likely tied to his elbow troubles. The Dodgers delayed announcing his return until mid-February to manage their 40-man roster strategically, finally signing him after moving reliever Evan Phillips to the 60-day IL.
Meanwhile, the Arizona Diamondbacks are exercising caution with starting pitcher Merrill Kelly, who was scratched from a live BP session due to mid-back tightness. Kelly, who rejoined the D-backs on a two-year, $40 million contract, expressed optimism about the issue, noting it surfaced during warmups but hadn't previously hindered his performance. Further evaluations are set to determine the severity.
In a roster shuffle, the Dodgers claimed outfielder Jack Suwinski off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates to fill Hernández's spot. Suwinski, 27, is out of minor league options, meaning he must make the Opening Day roster or risk returning to waivers. With an opportunity opening up due to Tommy Edman's IL stint, Suwinski's ability to play center field could be his ticket, though he’ll need to improve on his previous .169/.271/.297 performance with the Pirates.
The Dodgers' strategic moves highlight their adaptability and depth as they prepare for the upcoming season, balancing player health with roster optimization.