Teoscar Hernández ‘Feeling Better’ Potentially Shortened Timeline

Teoscar Hernández was in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ starting lineup on Monday, May 5 against the Miami Marlins, but had to exit the game with what was announced as hamstring tightness.

Roberts also noted Hernandez was dealing with some tightness and discomfort in his adductor as well. After undergoing an MRI the following day, Hernández landed on the injured list with a left groin strain.

The expectation was Hernández would miss multiple weeks due to his Grade 1 adductor strain, but there was no real set timeline for his return.

Two days later, the Dodgers have been encouraged by Hernández and think he could miss just two weeks if he continues to progress without a setback, via Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had a more encouraging update Wednesday on injured outfielder Teoscar Hernández, saying the veteran slugger could return from his groin strain in as little as two weeks if he progresses well.

“That’s my hope, and that’s his hope,” Roberts said. “But obviously we’re not going to activate him until he’s good and ready to get back and stay healthy.”

The potentially ramped up timeline is due to Hernández dealing with less pain and discomfort already:

By Wednesday, however, Roberts said Hernández told him he was already feeling better, raising hopes that his absence will ultimately be on the shorter side.

Getting Hernández back sooner rather than later would be significant for a Dodgers offense that is dealing with multiple injuries and players struggling, specifically at the bottom of their lineup. Adding another middle of the order bat would push everyone else down and take off some pressure.

Hernández was the Dodgers’ best hitter in April, batting .330/.326/.638 with eight doubles, seven home runs and 24 RBI in 94 at-bats and hit .448/.467/.690 in his last seven games before the injury.

Hernández’s slugging percentage on the season ranks third in MLB, and he is also in the top-15 in terms of batting average and on-base plus slugging percentage. At the time of going on the injured list, Hernández also was leading the Majors with 34 RBI.

James Outman replaced Teoscar Hernández on Dodgers roster

James Outman was called up to replace Hernández on the roster, and he’s appeared in both games since. THe 27-year-old is hitting .200 with a 1.229 on-base plus slugging with one home run and three RBI in his five at-bats.

Outman had an 0-for-3 game with three strikeouts in his debut, but homered after entering the game as a replacement on Wednesday.