Kiké Hernández Returns From Injury as Dodgers Shuffle Roster

WHO:

NY Post - Dodgers closer Edwin Díaz was officially added back to the team’s active roster.

MLB.com - Kiké Hernández, a utility player for the Los Angeles Dodgers, has returned from injury.

NY Post - The Dodgers organization is involved in the activation of Hernández.

WHAT:

MLB.com - Edwin Díaz was activated off the injured list after undergoing surgery to remove loose bodies from his elbow.

MLB.com - Díaz's fastball averaged 95.7 mph during his rehab assignment, which is below the 97 mph he averaged in April 2025.

NY Post - Kiké Hernández is officially back on the Dodgers' active roster for a series opener against the Mariners, which is scheduled for a future date.

MLB.com - Manager Dave Roberts plans to ease Hernández back into play, stating, "We've got three right-handers this series, so I'm not sure if he's going to get a start -- use him off the bench."

MLB.com - Kiké Hernández is back on the Dodgers' active roster a full month ahead of his initial three-month recovery timeline.

MLB.com - Hernández stated, "I was like, 'Look, this is what happened. I don't know what's going on with my body. Maybe I'm too old,'" reflecting on his anxiety attack after his injury diagnosis.

MLB.com - Manager Dave Roberts indicated that Hernández may not start immediately, mentioning, "We've got three right-handers this series, so I'm not sure if he's going to get a start."

MLB.com - Hernández has played only two games since returning and has had only four at-bats.

MLB.com - Kiké Hernández is officially back on the Dodgers' active roster for Tuesday’s series opener against the Mariners.

MLB.com - Hernández expressed, "A lot of nervousness," regarding his return, acknowledging the challenges he faced during his recovery.

MLB.com - Manager Dave Roberts indicated that Hernández may not start immediately, stating, "I think a little bit... use him off the bench."

MLB.com - Kiké Hernández was activated from the 10-day injured list.

MLB.com - Hernández had a Grade 3 tear in his left oblique, which typically requires a multi-month recovery.

NY Post - Alex Freeland was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City as a corresponding move to Hernández's activation.

MLB.com - Hernández expressed excitement about returning, stating, "I feel like everything is in a pretty good spot right now."

WHERE:

MLB.com - The activation took place in Los Angeles, where the Dodgers are based.

MLB.com - Hernández experienced his anxiety attack while sitting in Los Angeles traffic.

WHEN:

MLB.com - The Dodgers activated Edwin Díaz on Wednesday, three months after his surgery.

MLB.com - Hernández was sidelined since May 26 due to his oblique injury.

MLB.com - The Dodgers activated Hernández for a series opener against the Mariners scheduled for a future date.

WHY:

MLB.com - Díaz's early struggles this season were attributed to his elbow issues, as he allowed seven runs on nine hits and five walks over his first six innings of the season.

MLB.com - Hernández's injury was a result of a severe oblique strain that occurred shortly after recovering from offseason elbow surgery.

MLB.com - To accelerate his recovery, Hernández utilized a combination of stem cell treatment, hyperbaric chamber sessions, saunas, and cold plunges.

HOW:

MLB.com - Tanner Scott has had an excellent season as the fill-in closer, going 16-18 in save opportunities with a 2.32 ERA over 42 2/3 innings.

MLB.com - Hernández's recovery included a structured medical plan that involved daily hyperbaric chamber sessions, saunas, cold plunges, and targeted core rotation, which he followed with extreme discipline.

MLB.com - Hernández's recovery plan included a combination of stem cell treatment, daily hyperbaric chamber sessions, saunas, cold plunges, and targeted core rotation.

MLB.com - A six-week scan confirmed that Hernández's major tear had fully healed after seven rehab games and 20 additional at-bats.

MLB.com - Hernández's recovery included a structured medical plan that involved daily hyperbaric chamber sessions, saunas, cold plunges, and targeted core rotation.

MLB.com - Hernández's recovery involved extreme discipline and a structured medical plan, which included daily treatments and rehabilitation exercises.

MLB.com - After seven rehab games and 20 additional at-bats, a six-week scan confirmed that the major tear had fully healed.

The Dodgers have officially added closer Edwin Díaz back to their active roster after he was activated off the injured list, three months following surgery to remove loose bodies from his elbow. During his rehab assignment, Díaz's fastball averaged 95.7 miles per hour, which is slightly below the 97 miles per hour he averaged in April 2025, as he struggled earlier this season due to his elbow issues. Meanwhile, Tanner Scott has stepped up as the fill-in closer, successfully converting 16 out of 18 save opportunities with a solid 2.32 earned run average over 42 and two-thirds innings.