Kiké Hernández's anticipated comeback with the Los Angeles Dodgers was short-lived when he suffered an injury during a game against the Colorado Rockies on May 27, 2026. The outfielder had been cleared to return from his previous left oblique strain and made his season debut on May 25th. However, Hernández's brief stint back in action ended abruptly after just two games due to another injury.
According to MLB.com, Hernández was forced out of the game early with a left oblique strain, marking his second such injury this season. The Dodgers had initially hoped that Hernández would be able to contribute significantly during his return, but his latest setback has dashed those hopes for now.
Manager Dave Roberts provided an update on Hernández's condition after the incident, expressing disappointment at the development. "It’s frustrating," said Roberts according to Athlon Sports. "We were hoping Kike could build off of his first two games back and contribute more this season, but we’ll have to wait and see how he recovers from here."
Hernández himself addressed the situation in an interview with bolavip.com, expressing his own frustration at the setback. "It’s tough," Hernández said. "I was feeling good after my first couple of games back and thought I could help the team more this time around. But now we’ll have to reassess everything."
The Dodgers are currently evaluating Hernández's injury timeline, with no immediate return date set at this point. The team is hopeful that Hernández can make a full recovery soon but acknowledges the need for caution given his recent history of oblique injuries.
In light of Hernández’s latest injury, the Dodgers have had to adjust their roster again by recalling left-handed pitcher Daniel Bard from Triple-A Oklahoma City, as per MLB.com. This move underscores the impact that Hernández's absence is having on the team's overall strategy and performance.