Dodgers' Kiké Hernandez 'Embarrassed' By Latest Injury Setback

Mark J&period; Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports via Imagn Images

Dodgers' Kiké Hernandez 'Embarrassed' By Latest Injury Setback

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nate Lunak | Last updated May 27, 2026 11:24 AM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers infielder/outfielder Kiké Hernandez is in his 13th season in the MLB and has struggled to stay on the field. He appeared in his first game of the 2026 season on Monday after recovering from a November surgery to repair a torn muscle and extensor tendon in his left elbow.

He made an immediate impact after returning in the Dodgers' 5-3 win over the Colorado Rockies. Hernandez accumulated two at-bats, two hits, one RBI and three total bases. With the three-time World Series champion back in the lineup, Los Angeles was receiving a major boost.

However, his time on the field didn't last long. In Tuesday's matchup against the Rockies, he was pulled before the fifth inning due to an oblique injury.

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Kiké Hernandez.Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

After the game, manager Dave Roberts said the utility man will be sent back to the IL. While a return timeline isn't known, he clarified that this isn't a season-ending injury.

While speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Hernandez shed some light on what happened, revealing he initially injured his oblique during Monday's batting practice, but didn't inform anyone.

“I did it during batting practice yesterday," Hernandez said. “First game back, did it during batting practice, I was pretty embarrassed that I did that and I didn’t really tell anyone about it because I just thought it was a small tweak, a little tightness, but today it felt more than that.”

Kiké Hernández mentioned that he initially injured his oblique while taking batting practice before Monday’s game. He admitted he was “embarrassed" about the injury.@SportingTrib | #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/NWZhLgYWoH
— Fredo Cervantes (@FredoCervantes) May 27, 2026

After just two games, the 34-year-old will once again be working toward regaining his health. The Dodgers are hoping to get Hernandez back on the field as soon as possible.

In 10 years with the team, he has appeared in 922 games, accumulating 2,436 at-bats and slashing .237/.303/.415 with a .717 OPS. For now, though, they will be without their veteran utility piece as he recovers from injury.

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

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