Teoscar Hernández will be available to pinch-hit tonight for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He has not been cleared to play defense. The All-Star left fielder and Home Run Derby champ has missed three games after being hit in the left ankle by Cleveland Guardians starter Matthew Boyd.
The injury occurred in the first inning of last Friday’s game. After being hit, Hernández sat down near home plate writhing in pain. A few minutes later, he got up under his own power. He limped to first base before being removed from the game.
Dave Roberts said Teoscar Hernández is available off the bench tonight. Training staff didn’t sign off on him starting. https://t.co/bxXLDs4NLA
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) September 10, 2024
Teoscar Hernández Available to Pinch Hit Tuesday Night
Fears of Injured List Stint
In his postgame press conference, manager Dave Roberts said that the scans on the All-Star’s ankle were “not great” and an IL stint was “likely.” This led some to believe that Hernandez would miss significant time, if not the rest of the season.
24 Little Hours
The next night, Hernández said that further scans on his foot came back clean. Furthermore, he felt good and would be back on the field in two or three games. For a team that has had more than its fair share of injuries, it’s fair to say that the Dodgers and their fans breathed a huge sigh of relief.
Mr. Clutch
In a season with so much turmoil and upheaval, Hernández has been “Mr. Reliable” for Los Angeles in pivotal games. From his multi-extra-base hit games against the New York Yankees, to his walk-off hits that spare an over-worked bullpen, the left-fielder seems to thrive in big-game situations. There is no question that Hernández adds threat and thunder to the L.A. lineup. His bat may go a long way in determining the Dodgers’ postseason fortunes.
Are the Stars Aligning In LA?
Of course, Yoshinobu Yamamoto is returning tonight for the National League West division leaders. It remains to be seen how effective he will be as the right-hander will have a pitch count. However, it never hurts to have the Home Run Derby champ to have your back, especially as you head to October.
Photo Credit: © Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
