Key players are working their way back to the Dodgers in the second half

Kiké Hernández is rejoining the Dodgers after a left oblique strain that kept him out since May 26. (Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

by Senji Torrey

Ahead of the Dodgers’ first home game of the second half, manager Dave Roberts expressed excitement about facing an opponent they have not seen in a while. But at the root of the excitement was the list of players who were making their way back from the injured list.

Utility player Kiké Hernández is the first player to come off the list. He was activated on Tuesday ahead of the series opener against the Mariners. Second baseman Alex Freeland was correspondingly optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Hernández has been sidelined since May 26 with a left oblique strain. He made his season debut on May 25 after starting the season on the injured list as he recovered from off-season left elbow surgery. Hernández appeared in two games before he was sidelined again.

“(The team) is certainly getting to be whole,” Roberts said. “Excited to get Kiké back. When he came back a month ago, he came out swinging the bat well, so trying to figure out when to get him in the lineup. So, that’s exciting.”

Hernández’s return to the team was quicker than anticipated for an oblique injury. He credited the Dodgers’ medical staff to getting him back on the field under than two months, compared to the usual three months for this type of injury.

“I took rehab to another level,” Hernández said. “I did hyperbaric chamber every single day. I was out (in the) sauna, cold tub, all that stuff, trying to do everything that I can control to accelerate the process.”

Roberts plans to slot the right-handed batter into the following series against the Boston Red Sox, where he can face left-handed pitching. Hernández will likely frequent the left side of the field at third base and left field, with a possibility of center field, on defense.

“I spent a lot of time on the (injured list), but it’s honestly gone by somewhat fast,” Hernández said. “I feel pretty good, and happy to see what I can do out on the field.”

Other key players that will rejoin the team is closer Edwin Díaz. The right-hander was transferred onto the injured list with loose bodies in his right elbow on April 20. Prior to that, he pitched in seven games, where he racked up 10 strikeouts while conceding nine hits and seven runs in six innings.

Catcher Will Smith, who has been dealing with neck disc inflammation since June 5, has been pain-free for the past week and is set to start baseball activities.

Right-handed pitcher Tyler Glasnow is set to throw a live bullpen at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium tomorrow, according to Roberts. Depending on how he feels, Glasnow could potentially go out on a rehab assignment.

Left-hander Blake Snell is also set to start a rehab assignment with Single-A Ontario Tower Buzzers on Wednesday. He has been out since May 9 with loose bodies in his left elbow.

“I feel very confident, obviously with Snell being more built up, (from) everything that I’m hearing from the medical staff,” Roberts said. “I think Tyler is in a really good spot physically on his way back to going out.”