​Just two days ago, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Kike Hernandez would be back before the All-Star break, but he didn’t anticipate Hernandez recovering this quickly. Roberts is equally relieved about Shohei Ohtani’s progress, with the two-way superstar expected to be back on the field on July 5. “He looks normal. It’s really—miraculous, I’m going to say,” the manager said, struggling to describe Hernandez’s recovery. “I’m really in disbelief at how well he’s responded given the injury. Swinging, throwing and everything.”
Enrique Hernandez underwent left elbow surgery this offseason and rejoined the roster after missing 53 games. The 34-year-old then appeared in only two games before suffering a left oblique strain, landing him on the 10-day IL on May 27. At the time, a late July or early August return was anticipated. Yet Roberts had hinted at an earlier comeback, and his interview with Bleed Los on Saturdays only reinforced that possibility.
It hasn’t just been Hernandez’s situation worrying fans; Ohtani has also caused concern in recent weeks. A tightening in his biceps raised flags, compounded by a hamstring issue last month and a midgame withdrawal against the Pittsburgh Pirates due to knee inflammation. A bleeding blister appeared on the finger of his throwing hand during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays, though he recovered fairly quickly from both incidents. Fans frequently pressed management about his schedule, and Roberts even opted to keep him off DH duties on days he pitched. Still, the superstar had only missed three games this season until recently.
“It was precautionary. He tightened up on the biceps, so he won’t be in there tomorrow. We’ll give him a day to fully recover,” Roberts explained in an X post quoted by SportsNet LA. “He’s dealt with it before. He’s a quick healer.” The manager remained hopeful about Ohtani’s status, saying, “Today feels considerably better, so obviously he’s not starting, and we’ll see how the day goes. I’m hopeful that, if things trend as expected, he’ll be there tomorrow.”
That’s the kind of update Dodgers fans crave from their manager.