Editorials

Dodgers News: Kiké Hernandez On Track For Return, Yasiel Puig Doubtful

Mark J. Terrill-AP Photo
Mark J. Terrill-AP Photo

For the better part of the 2015 season the Los Angeles Dodgers have had to deal with more injuries to key players most teams. They lost starting pitchers Brandon McCarthy and Hyun-Jin Ryu early in the year, and since August, have seen Kiké Hernandez, Howie Kendrick and Yasiel Puig among those placed on the disabled list.

Kendrick has since returned, while Hernandez and Puig, as well as Jose Peraza for that matter, remain on the mend. For multiple days Hernandez has been considered the furthest along the recovery trail of the group. Dodgers manager Don Mattingly expressed more optimism in the versatile utility man being reinstated prior to season’s end.



“Kiké for me it’s 100 percent he’s going to play this year, unless he has a setback over the next couple days,” Mattingly said. “He’s been running at full speed and recovered every time. He’ll be getting the equivalent of 10 at-bats a day for the next few days.”

Along with Peraza and Puig, Hernandez was sent to the club’s Spring Training facility. Peraza and Puig, however, aren’t recovering as quickly. “Yasiel on the other hand, the most on the report I’ve seen is 70 percent. Still having some issues when he’s running,” Mattingly said.

“That’s more along the Howie lines that we hit at 20-something days where it ended up being almost 40 [days]. I don’t feel near as confident that he’ll get back. Peraza is more in the Yasiel boat for me, but we’ll see. Things happen and they can turn the corner.”

After being acquired in the trade with the Atlanta Braves, Peraza was primarily used by the Dodgers at second base; only one of his seven games played came as a replacement in center field.

Hernandez meanwhile transitioned himself from utility man to the club’s everyday starting center fielder prior to being injured. On the season Hernandez is batting .308/.350/.492 with six home runs and 21 RBIs. Puig, limited to just 77 games, is hitting .256/.324/.440 with 11 home runs and 38 RBIs.

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Staff Writer

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