The Los Angeles Dodgers plan to activate outfielder Teoscar Hernández from the injured list for Monday’s game at Sacramento, manager Dave Roberts told reporters.
Hernández, 33, has been on the IL since May 29 with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain. The 11-year veteran said at the time that he expected to miss one month and he followed that timetable almost exactly.
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Based on his performance during his minor-league rehab assignment, Hernández is ready to return to the Dodgers. In three games with Triple-A Oklahoma City, he’s hit 3 home runs with 6 RBI in 11 plate appearances.
Before going to the IL, Hernández compiled a slash line of .276/.348/.436 with 7 homers, 8 doubles, 31 RBI and 2 stolen bases in 204 PAs. In his absence, Ryan Ward has received the majority of playing time in left field, with Tommy Edman and Andy Call also getting innings. The rookie has logged a .204/.271/.444 triple-slash average in 19 games.
The Dodgers’ plan is to work Hernández back into the lineup slowly, playing three to four games a week, according to The Athletic’s Katie Woo. Edman will then play mostly at second base with Alex Freeland moving to the bench. However, Freeland will see time at third when Max Muncy is out of the lineup.
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Before going on the IL, Hernández noted that he didn’t give himself enough time to recover from a left groin injury he suffered last season. After sitting out for two weeks, the groin continued to be an issue and affected his production. He finished with a .247/.284/.484 slash average, his worst numbers in the past six seasons.
Rotating players in and out of the lineup to get some rest will be particularly important before the MLB All-Star break, with the Dodgers playing 14 games in 15 days, including Saturday’s matchup with the San Diego Padres. The team’s only off-day during that stretch will be July 9, prior to a three-game set versus the Arizona Diamondbacks before the break.
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