The Los Angeles Dodgers have already begun shaping the edges of their 2026 roster, and they’ve started by keeping a trusted veteran in-house. The club re-signed infielder Miguel Rojas to a one-year deal earlier this offseason, preserving one of the clubhouse’s most respected voices. Now, another reunion appears to be gaining traction. According to reporting from The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya and Katie Woo, both the Dodgers and Kiké Hernández are interested in continuing their long-running partnership as the utilityman rehabs from offseason elbow surgery on his non-throwing arm.
Hernández’s standing within the organization is hard to overstate. Nine of his 12 major-league seasons have come in Los Angeles, spanning three World Series titles and countless October moments. He returned on a one-year, $6.5 million pact last winter and stepped straight back into the Swiss-army-knife role the Dodgers have always valued.
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A Difficult Year, but Trust Never Wavered
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The 34-year-old’s 2025 campaign was far from his best statistically. The elbow issue lingered, limiting him to a .203 average over 93 games and sidelining him for significant stretches in July and August. Yet when the lights brightened in October, Dave Roberts kept turning to him. He hit .250 throughout the postseason—strikeouts aside—and even delivered LA’s lone run in Game 5 of the World Series, launching a homer off Trey Yesavage. Days later, he manned left field during Andy Pages’ iconic, season-saving catch in Game 7.
Hernández didn’t hide how much he wanted to push through the injury. “If it’s up to me, I’ll always play,” he said earlier in the year. “But I got to wait for the doc. Whatever they say goes.”
Vote For Your Favorite Dodgers Duo: Ohtani – Yamamoto, Betts – Freeman, Hernandez – Hernandez
Why a Reunion Makes Sense
The Dodgers enter 2026 without glaring weaknesses, yet there are soft spots where Hernández’s versatility could bring stability. Tommy Edman is slated for center field but comes off a season marred by inconsistency. At second base, Hyeseong Kim and Alex Freeland offer intrigue but not much MLB track record. Hernández can cover both positions—and third, shortstop, or any outfield spot—giving the roster a safety net.
Even with a projected $337 million payroll, down significantly from last year’s near-$400 million figure, a Hernández deal would be modest and cap-friendly. With mutual interest already established, the path forward seems clear.
A Reunion That Feels Inevitable
Given his history, fit, and the Dodgers’ reliance on adaptable veterans, it’s no surprise both sides are open to another run together. If his recovery continues as expected, it would be entirely unsurprising to see Kiké Hernández back in Dodger blue when the team opens camp next spring.
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