Dodgers get huge Kike Hernandez, Blake Snell injury updates

The Los Angeles Dodgers received encouraging injury news as veteran utility player Kike Hernandez and left-hander Blake Snell are all set to begin the next phase of their recoveries with the Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets, The Athletic’s Katie Woo reported on Friday.

Hernandez started his minor league rehab assignment on Friday, July 17, while Snell is scheduled to make his first rehab start on Saturday. The assignments are a positive step forward for two players who have spent most of the 2026 season on the injured list.

Hernandez originally missed the start of the season after undergoing left elbow surgery following the 2025 World Series to address an injury that had affected his offensive production. After returning, he suffered a significant oblique tear during his first rehab assignment, attempted to play through it, appeared in only two major league games, and then returned to the IL.

Manager Dave Roberts has praised Hernandez’s recovery, pointing out that he has progressed quickly and has already resumed hitting and baseball drills. Although he was initially expected to miss eight to 12 weeks, he could be activated later this month.

Snell took a cautious approach during Spring Training while recovering from shoulder soreness, but later developed loose bodies in his left elbow after returning. He underwent a two-and-a-half-hour surgery to remove them and has said he feels better than ever. Following weeks of bullpen sessions and live batting practice, Snell will now begin building up in game action. Roberts has said the two-time Cy Young Award winner will not return to the team until he is stretched out to five innings, or around 75 to 80 pitches.

Hernandez is eligible to return at any time from the 10-day injured list, while Snell became eligible for activation after July 11 following his move to the 60-day injured list in June. Their returns would provide the Dodgers with two experienced contributors for the second half of the season.