The Los Angeles Dodgers have been dealt an early-season setback after placing veteran utility player Kiké Hernández landing on the 60-day injured list following elbow surgery.
The move sidelines Hernández for a significant portion of the 2026 season and forces the Dodgers to adjust both their roster construction and early strategic plans.
According to the team announcement, Hernández continues to recover from a procedure on his left elbow, and the decision to transfer him to the 60-day IL creates both immediate limitations and long-term uncertainty.
The timeline ensures that Hernández will miss at least the first two months of action, though there has been no formal return date provided.
The absence is notable given Hernández’s multi-positional value. In 2025, Hernández appeared in 92 games for the Dodgers, slashing .203/.255/.366 with 10 home runs and 35 RBI.
While those numbers reflect modest regular-season production, Hernández has built a reputation on timely postseason performances and defensive versatility.
During the 2025 playoffs, Hernández participated in 17 games, hitting .250 with a home run and seven RBI.
His ability to rotate between second base, shortstop, and all three outfield positions gave manager Dave Roberts valuable flexibility in high-leverage moments. That flexibility will now be harder to replicate.
How can the Dodgers replace Hernández effectively?
To address the 40-man roster vacancy created by transferring Hernández to the 60-day IL, the Dodgersclaimed outfielder Jack Suwinski off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates. The move provides immediate outfield depth and adds a left-handed power bat to the bench.
During his tenure with the Pirates, Suwinski demonstrated power potential, hitting 26 home runs in 2022 and showing flashes of offensive upside across multiple seasons. Although his production fluctuated in 2024 and 2025, the 27-year-old offers positional coverage and an opportunity for a reset within a contending lineup.
For Los Angeles, the timing presents a competitive challenge. The Dodgers enter 2026 expecting another deep postseason run, and early-season depth is critical in the NL West.
Losing Hernández affects not just lineup rotation, but late-game defensive substitutions and matchup advantages against right- and left-handed pitching.
Manager Roberts has historically leaned on veterans like Hernández to stabilize clubhouse dynamics and provide postseason-tested leadership. Without Hernández available, greater responsibility may fall on younger bench contributors and rotational players.
Postseason pedigree missing early
While the regular season spans 162 games, contending teams often prioritize October flexibility. Hernández has long been considered a postseason asset and is seen league-wide as a player capable of stepping into high-pressure moments without hesitation. That experience was particularly evident during previous playoff runs, where Hernández delivered timely hits and steady defense.
The concern for the Dodgers isn’t merely statistical replacement. It is about game management. Late innings, pinch-hit decisions, double switches – these are areas where Hernández offered unique strategic value.
As for Suwinski, the opportunity is significant. A fresh start in Los Angeles could unlock the raw power that made him a notable contributor in Pittsburgh. If Suwinski can improve contact consistency while retaining his home-run potential, the acquisition may help soften the blow.
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