Dodgers Get Their ‘Clown in The Clubhouse’ Back as Kiké Hernández Returns from Surgery/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Los Angeles Dodgers utility player Kiké Hernández returned from offseason elbow surgery and helped spark a comeback victory over the Colorado Rockies. Hernández went 2-for-2 with an RBI double in his season debut after missing the Dodgers’ first 53 games. The veteran also reflected on playing through severe pain during the Dodgers’ latest World Series run.
Kiké Hernández Return Quick Looks
- Kiké Hernández returned after elbow surgery recovery.
- He debuted in a 5-3 Dodgers win over Colorado.
- Hernández went 2-for-2 with an RBI double.
- Dave Roberts praised Hernández’s energy and toughness.
- Hernández missed 53 games recovering from surgery.
- Doctors called the elbow injury extremely severe.
- Hernández helped Dodgers win last season’s World Series hurt.
- He missed the World Baseball Classic for Puerto Rico.
- Hernández ranks among MLB postseason appearance leaders.
- Dodgers designated Santiago Espinal for assignment.
Deep Look
Dodgers Get Their “Clown in the Clubhouse” Back
The Los Angeles Dodgers welcomed back one of their emotional leaders Monday night as Kiké Hernández returned from offseason elbow surgery in a 5-3 victory over the Colorado Rockies.
Hernández described himself as the team’s “clown in the clubhouse,” bringing his trademark energy, humor and intensity back to the Dodgers lineup.
The veteran utilityman immediately contributed, going 2-for-2 with an RBI double while starting at third base.
Strong Debut After Months of Recovery
Hernández missed the Dodgers’ first 53 games while recovering from major offseason surgery on his left elbow.
Despite the long rehab process, Hernández said before the game:
“It’s fixed and I’m feeling pretty good right now.”
Manager Dave Roberts praised Hernández’s emotional return.
“It was good to have him back,” Roberts said. “There’s a lot of emotion and adrenaline and anticipation. That’s probably the thing you got to guard against, but he did a good job managing those emotions.”
Playing Through Pain During Championship Run
The surgery repaired a torn muscle and torn extensor tendon in Hernández’s elbow — an injury he originally suffered during the season and worsened during the Dodgers’ postseason run.
Even while badly hurt, Hernández continued playing and helped Los Angeles capture another World Series championship.
He appeared in all 17 playoff games while batting .250 with:
- One home run
- Seven RBIs
- Nine runs scored
But the extended stress eventually caused the tendon to detach from the bone entirely.
“It was a rough year,” Hernández said. “The best description that I can put on it is every time I would get in my batting stance I would feel like I had a blowtorch on.”
Doctor Called It the Worst Injury He’d Seen
Following the World Series, Hernández underwent surgery with renowned orthopedic specialist Dr. Neal ElAttrache.
After the operation, Hernández recalled ElAttrache telling him:
“This is the worst injury I’ve ever seen of this kind and I don’t know how you played.”
Hernández joked that he took the comment as a compliment.
Dodgers Re-Signed Veteran Leader
Despite the serious injury, the Dodgers brought Hernández back on a one-year, $4.5 million contract in February for his 10th season with the franchise.
The versatile veteran is expected to contribute at:
- Second base
- Third base
- Outfield
- Pinch-hitting situations
He returned Monday in place of injured third baseman Max Muncy.
Missing Puerto Rico in WBC Was Painful
Hernández also revealed the surgery forced him to miss the World Baseball Classic representing his native Puerto Rico.
“That hurt my soul a little more than I was in pain physically last year,” Hernández said.
Still, he tried to focus on the positives after helping the Dodgers win another championship.
Postseason Legacy Continues Growing
Last October, Hernández became the Dodgers franchise leader in postseason appearances with his 87th playoff game.
He now ranks eighth in MLB history with 103 postseason appearances overall.
Among Puerto Rican players, only:
- Jorge Posada
- Bernie Williams
- Yadier Molina
have played in more postseason games.
Hernández Embraces Latino Leadership Role
“Doing that as a Latino is very important, especially in the city where there’s such a big Latino community,” he said.
He added that recent tensions and “weird things going on” in Los Angeles have deepened his sense of responsibility to represent the community proudly.
Dodgers Continue Chasing Another Title
The Dodgers are pursuing a third straight World Series championship and expect Hernández’s leadership to play a major role both on and off the field.
“I’m in charge of checking guys,” Hernández said. “I think guys know if I’m on them, and I’m tough on them, it means I care a lot about them.”
To make room for Hernández on the roster, the Dodgers designated Santiago Espinal for assignment.
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