Dodgers Calling Up Ryan Ward To Replace Teoscar Hernández

The initial testing on Hernández was encouraging, but he is still expected to miss at least a few weeks, according to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. The Dodgers are still working to determine the severity with additional testing scheduled for Thursday.

“Disappointing,” Roberts said. “He’s been playing so well, and he’s a big part of what we’re doing, so to lose him for any length of time is not great.”

Hernández entered the night batting .346/.397/.577 with three home runs and 14 RBI over his last 15 games. That was part of improved results during May, when he hit .329/.404/.488 with four doubles in addition to the three homers.

Ryan Ward replacing Teoscar Hernández

Ward is set to join the Dodgers for his second stint at the MLB level. He made his debut earlier this season, appearing in two games while Freddie Freeman was on the paternity list.

Ward went 2-for-6 in his small sample earlier in the year, while also picking up his first career RBI.

The 28-year-old has had a long Minor League journey, which included him winning the Pacific Coast League MVP Award in 2025, but still not getting the opportunity to make his debut.

He finished the 2025 season hitting .290/.380/.557 with 31 doubles, six triples, 36 home runs and 122 RBI for Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Ward was off to another hot start in 2026, but has slowed down recently. In May, the left-handed hitter has slashed just .195/.337/.256 across 82 at-bats.

But overall on the season, he’s still hitting .254/.379/.418 with nine doubles, one triple, six home runs, 31 RBI and 28 runs scored.

Ward can play left field and first base, and with his left-handed bat, he should end up in somewhat of a platoon with Alex Call.

However, Call is likely to receive the majority of the playing time, despite being the weak side of the platoon as a right-handed hitter.