"I thought it was worse" - Teoscar Hernandez dodges IL after negative test results, eyes return to lineup for next series
The Los Angeles Dodgers faithful will be happy to know that Teoscar Hernandez hasn't suffered any major damage after he was hit on the left foot during the first inning of the 3-1 loss to the Cleveland Guardians on Friday night. The Dodgers outfielder said that scan results didn't show any fracture, so he should be able to return to action in the next few days.
Teoscar Hernandez has been a key player for the Dodgers after joining during the offseason on a one-year, $23.5 million deal. The 31-year-old was feared to be ruled out for the remainder of the season after a hit-by-pitch during his at-bat on Friday. However, Hernandez avoided landing on the IL with a serious injury, and the Dodgers are monitoring his return on a day-to-day basis.
On Saturday, Hernandez discussed his injury and possible return to the lineup.
"I thought it was worse, honestly, when I got hit,” Hernandez said. “After a couple hours, I feel like the pain wasn't going away. Today I was pretty sore, but thank God it's nothing to worry about."
"Definitely, I'm feeling better today," he continued. "Not able to walk normal, but it's way better than last night. MRI and CT scans were negative. Thank God, there was nothing broken. Just take the day (off) today. Take some activity tomorrow and see how it's going. Maybe, Monday or Tuesday, I'll get back on the field."
He added:
"Thank God, I don't have to go [to the IL]. I am going to be able to come back in a couple of days," he added.
Hernandez should return to the lineup for the three-game set against the Chicago Cubs at Dodger Stadium, which gets underway on Monday evening.
Dodgers manager "relieved" at negative scan results of Teoscar Hernandez
Dave Roberts, the Los Angeles Dodgers manager, breathed a huge sigh of relief after scan results on the left-foot contusion of Teoscar Hernandez showed no sign of fracture.
Even though the Dodgers have Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman leading their lineup, the outfielder has become indispensible to the team at the heart of the order.
“Very relieved,” Roberts said. “Obviously, if it was a fracture, that was probably going to be the end of the season for him, and it would have been a huge loss"
Earlier this year, Hernandez was selected to the All-Star Game for the second time in his career. He's batting .266/.331/.488 for the season with an .819 OPS, 28 home runs and 87 RBIs.