The Los Angeles Dodgers have been playing shorthanded throughout the entire month of June. Two-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger Teoscar Hernandez has not played since May 27 due to a Grade 1 left hamstring strain.
His injury came at an unfortunate time, as Hernandez had finally begun to pick up momentum at the plate.
After a slow start to the year, the 33-year-old had finally started to make his three-year, $66 million contract look worth it. Hernandez posted a .325 batting average, .400 on-base percentage, .882 OPS, three home runs and 14 RBIs across 24 games in May.
In games he played in May, the Dodgers went 16-8 and took sole possession of first place in the National League West.
© Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
The Dodgers have been awaiting his return, and the team finally revealed a meaningful update Monday ahead of their series opener at home against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Hernandez himself spoke on Dodgers reporter David Vassegh's talk show and revealed that this week is a "big week" for him in terms of baseball activities.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts then announced another positive update on Hernandez's recovery progress, noting that if he makes it through the baseball activities without any setbacks, the plan is for him to go on a rehab assignment at the end of the week (h/t California Post's Jack Harris).
Hernandez's initial return timeline was expected to be about a month of recovery time, yet he appears on track to beat that expectation unless Los Angeles plays it safe and keeps him on a rehab assignment for multiple weeks. Given that his absence has not stretched too long, that may not be the case.
The Dodgers are beginning to get healthier, and with the team already sitting at 45-27, they remain one of the teams to beat in MLB. After all, they are going for a three-peat this year, having won back-to-back championships, with Hernandez playing a meaningful role in each.
