What Is Kike Hernandez's Timeline for Return After Surgery on Elbow Injury?

Los Angeles Dodgers utility player Kiké Hernández announced Saturday on Instagram that he underwent offseason surgery on his left elbow after playing through injury for much of the 2025 season.

As part of his post, Hernández noted that he will be unable to play for Puerto Rico in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Hernández helped the Dodgers win back-to-back World Series, and he won his third world title overall after previously winning one with L.A. back in 2020 as well.

Kiké appeared in all 17 of the Dodgers' 2025 postseason games, slashing .250/.290/.359 with one home run, seven RBI and nine runs scored.

The 34-year-old Hernández has spent nine of his 12 MLB seasons with the Dodgers. After winning a World Series in 2020, he spent parts of three seasons with the Boston Red Sox from 2021 to 2023 before returning to L.A.

Hernández put up some bigger numbers in past years, hitting a career-high 21 homers with the Dodgers in 2018, and finishing with 20 home runs and 60 RBI with Boston in 2020, but he has been a key contributor to World Series teams each of the past two seasons.

In 2024, Hernández appeared in 126 regular-season games for the Dodgers, slashing .229/.281/.373 with 12 home runs, 42 RBI and 44 runs.

He followed that up with a .203/.255/.366 slash line to go along with 10 homers, 35 RBI and 30 runs in 92 games this past season.

During his MLB career, Hernández has played every position except catcher. In 2025, he saw action at first base, third base and second place, and in left field and center field. He even pitched 5.1 innings in blowout situations.

In addition to his versatility, Hernández provides a ton of value thanks to his playoff experience, having appeared in 103 career postseason games.

His playoff numbers are excellent as well, slashing .272/.339/.486 with 16 home runs, 42 RBI and 46 runs.

Hernández's status for the 2026 season is unclear since no timetable has been set for his return, and he is currently a free agent.