COMING HOME
Dodgers reacquire Hernandez, key utility player on 2020 title team, from Red Sox
LOS ANGELES >> The Dodgers kicked off their annual trade deadline frenzy Tuesday by acquiring an old friend. Kiké Hernandez will join the team today after the Dodgers sent minor league pitchers Nick Robertson and Justin Hagenman to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for the 31-year-old utility player and cash.
The Red Sox are paying $2.5 million of the $3.6 million remaining on Hernandez's contract.
Hernandez will reprise the role he played with the Dodgers from 2015-20: a versatile infielder and outfielder who starts against left-handed pitching. The Dodgers have platooned their infielders and outfielders all season, with marginally more success against righthanders
Kiké Hernandez, right, had a strong 2021season with the Red Sox but has struggled with injuries the last two seasons.
(.796 on-base plus slugging percentage) than lefties (.772).
Hernandez has a career .811 OPS against lefties and will be in
the lineup against Toronto Blue Jays lefty Yusei Kikuchi in his debut. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts did not know which position Hernandez would play in
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“He obviously helped us win a championship and had his best years in a Dodger uniform,” Roberts said of Hernandez. “I know fans are excited. He has a great relationship with fans, does a lot of stuff in the community. For us, it's more of, he hasn't had the best of seasons but being back home, familiarity, can tap back into the player that we know he can be and have seen.
“He's a Swiss army knife. He's one of the most talented baseball players I've been around. I'm excited to see him blend in