Dodgers Will Reduce Teoscar Hernandez's Playing Time Amid Struggles

The Los Angeles Dodgers' offense has been one of the main talking points this season, with the unit showing real signs of inconsistency.

There are a few reasons why these issues have come about, and it's something that could define the season for the Dodgers. One of them is injuries, but another is that a few key players have underperformed this season.

One player who has struggled this year has been outfielder Teoscar Hernandez.

Overall, the veteran has hit .250 with 11 home runs and 42 RBIs, while posting an OPS of .719. But Hernandez has seen a problem against right-handed pitching, with him hitting just .242 this season.

Due to some of the struggles from Hernandez this season, the Dodgers will start to bench him at different times. Los Angeles will now give the veteran more days off against right-handed hitters, hoping to get a spark going.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed this plan, while also saying that Hernandez will still hit against left-handers.

“I expect the performance to tick up versus right,” Roberts said. “And so, yeah, I just think here and there giving him a day off versus right, I’m going to do that to introduce other people [into the lineup], but he’ll be in there versus left.”

The Dodgers could elect to play Alex Call against right-handers in the absence of Hernandez, but he hasn't been strong at the plate either. Call has hit .192 against righties this season.

Another option could be to use Tommy Edman in the outfield when Hernandez sits. Edman has done well against right-handed pitching this season, hitting .307 for the year.

Roberts also mentioned that going forward, the Dodgers will have first baseman Freddie Freeman bat second in the lineup against right-handers, as he was on Tuesday night.

“I just think that I’ve given it enough time [while] trying to figure out what potentially could work, but I like Freddie in the two, certainly versus right-handed pitching for the foreseeable future,” Roberts said.

Where Do the Dodgers Rank Offensively?

Even with the offensive struggles this season, the Dodgers still rank toward the top of the league in different areas. Los Angeles ranks first in team batting average (.261), second in slugging (.428) and second in OPS (.766).

The Dodgers showed similar problems offensively last season, but the team was able to overcome everything to win the World Series.

They're hoping for a similar fate this year, but know they need more from key players throughout the lineup.

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