Is There Still Room for Kiké Hernández on the Dodgers?

To answer the question posed by the title in short: Yes, there is still room for Kiké Hernández on the Dodgers. That said, don’t be surprised if his return doesn’t materialize immediately.

It wouldn’t be shocking if Hernández remains unsigned when pitchers and catchers report, when spring training games begin, or even as Opening Day commences. Dodgers fans should relax and trust the process. Both sides want a reunion, and I am confident it will happen.

Let’s break down why.

If there’s one thing Hernández’s Dodgers career has taught us, it’s that his story with the team rarely follows a conventional timeline. Last year, he re-signed just days before spring training began. This offseason, the situation is even more complicated, as Hernández is recovering from elbow surgery and doesn’t yet have a firm timetable for his return.

Roster mechanics are driving much of the delay. As Katrina Stebbins wrote in a piece for Dodgers Way, until Hernández is closer to game-ready, there’s little incentive for the Dodgers to commit a valuable 40-man roster spot to him. Once the 60-day injured list reopens, or once Hernández’s recovery timeline becomes clearer, the path to a deal opens up significantly.

That reality hasn’t stopped some fans from worrying, particularly after the Dodgers signed Andy Ibáñez to a one-year major league deal and briefly added Ryan Fitzgerald via waivers. But those moves shouldn’t be viewed as roadblocks. Dodgers insider Katie Woo believes Ibáñez’s signing has no bearing on whether Hernández returns. 

And when you look at the player himself, it’s easy to understand why the Dodgers would want to wait – and why they’d still want him back.

Hernández is not defined by his regular season stat line. Over a career that spans parts of 12 seasons, he’s a .236 hitter with a .708 OPS. In 2025, he posted a .203 average, a .621 OPS, and just -0.1 bWAR. But baseball, especially October baseball, is rarely that simple.

Few players in franchise history are as synonymous with Dodgers postseason success as Hernández. He has been part of all three Dodgers World Series championships this century and has spent parts of six of the last eight seasons with the organization, with only a detour to Boston in between. He has appeared in more postseason games than any player in Dodgers history (96), a remarkable feat.

In the playoffs, Hernández transforms. He’s a career .272 postseason hitter with an .826 OPS. Even in a quieter October last year, when his OPS dipped to .649, he still hit .250, drove in seven runs, and once again provided elite defensive versatility and leadership.

Just one year earlier, during the 2024 championship run, he hit .294 with an .808 OPS, reminding everyone why the Dodgers keep coming back to him when it matters most.

Some of what is so special about him is difficult to quantify, but it’s very real. Hernández is so much more than just a good luck charm; he’s truly a stabilizing force and postseason hero. He can play virtually anywhere on the field, accept any role without complaint, and elevate his game under the brightest lights.

That combination is rare, and it’s something the Dodgers value deeply in a clubhouse that blends superstars with constant roster churn.

Yes, the splashy addition of Kyle Tucker, the signing of closer Edwin Díaz, and a series of smaller depth moves have made the roster picture look crowded. On the surface, it’s fair to wonder where Hernández fits.

Ibáñez, however, owns a career .694 OPS and struggled enough against left-handed pitching that Detroit felt comfortable moving on. He’s useful depth and is easily expendable once Hernández is ready.

Hernández wants to be back. The Dodgers want him back. The fans want him back. The cost will be negligible in the grand scheme of a franchise that operates at the sport’s financial ceiling. The only missing piece is timing.

It’s not a question of “if” but “when.” When Hernández’s elbow recovery reaches a clearer stage, the Dodgers will make room for the beloved 34-year-old.