Dodgers' Dave Roberts Makes Teoscar Hernandez Decision

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio G Losada | Last updated Apr 4, 2026 1:00 PM ET

The Los Angeles Dodgers enter Saturday’s matchup against the Washington Nationals still searching for offensive consistency early in the 2026 season and coming off their most productive game at the plate on Friday.

Outside of the road opener against the Nations, in which the Dodgers scored 13 runs, the team has added more than five runs to the scoreboard only once—back on Opening Day of the season when they scored eight.

A lineup decision ahead of first pitch on Saturday has provided a clearer picture of how the ballclub is trying to find solutions to that slow start, particularly that of a veteran outfielder.

The move comes one day after manager Dave Roberts addressed potential lineup changes and left open the possibility of resting players at some point over the weekend, confirming a regular would be absent from Sunday's lineup.

Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Teoscar Hernandez (37) reacts after a double play. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

That man would be veteran outfielder Teoscar Hernandez, who has also been left off the Dodgers' starting lineup for Saturday’s game, with Alex Call taking his place in left field.

It's fair to say that benching Hernandez isn't too far-fetched, as his absence follows a difficult opening stretch to the season for the 33-year-old left fielder.

Through his first six games, Hernandez has recorded five singles in 21 at-bats while posting a .476 OPS.

Although the full Dodgers lineup has struggled a bit, Hernandez's particular woes have stood out within a team that was expected to be among the most productive in baseball.

Dodgers lineup for today! pic.twitter.com/XjIanBVk3F
— DodgersMuse (@LADodgersMuse) April 4, 2026

Although Call is not a regular in the Dodgers' starting lineups, he will offer some defensive flexibility and situational depth, particularly in left field, with Hernandez out through the weekend.

Hernández is in the second season of a three-year contract and entered 2026 following a strong spring, but his early production has not carried over into the regular season.

The Dodgers and the Nationals will face each other on Saturday with the first pitch set for 4:05 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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