Kiké Hernández Sidelined by Oblique Tear, Dodgers Recall Alex Freeland — Dodger Game

Kiké Hernández suffered a significant tear of his left oblique yesterday in the dodger game, and the Dodgers are moving quickly to replace him on the active roster. Alex Freeland will be recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City, with Dave Roberts saying Hernández faces another extended absence.

Hernández Returns, Then Stops

Roberts told reporters the injury is a "significant tear" and said "another extended absence is inevitable" for Hernández. The utilityman had just returned from a season-opening injured list stint on Monday, after elbow surgery shortly after the World Series forced him to spend the first couple months of the regular season finishing his rehab.

That return came with production. Hernández opened his season with an RBI double in his first at-bat, then hit a two-run homer yesterday. He was 4-for-4 with three extra-base hits on the year when the oblique issue hit.

Freeland Takes The Opening

Freeland now gets the roster spot Hernández created when he came back from the injured list. The Dodgers designated Santiago Espinal for assignment on Monday to make room, then turned to Freeland after the injury pushed Hernández out again. Roberts indicated Freeland will get the majority of the second base playing time now that he is back up.

That job opens in a patchwork infield. Tommy Edman has been out all season while recovering from ankle surgery, and he began a rehab assignment at Oklahoma City last night. Hyeseong Kim has handled second base recently, but he is batting.217 with a.273 on-base percentage and only two extra-base hits in 20 MLB games this month.

Dodgers Infield Depth Tested

Freeland was optioned on May 11 and has hit.238 with a.360 on-base percentage since going back to Triple-A. Roberts said the second-base arrangement will likely last 2 to 3 weeks, which puts the burden on Freeland to hold the position while Hernández waits out another recovery.

The Dodgers signed Hernández to a $4.5 million free agent contract at the beginning of spring training, expecting his versatility to steady the roster. Instead, his latest injury sends the club back to a depth chart that has already been stretched by Edman’s recovery and the recent workload on Kim.