Dodgers Team News

Dodgers News: Kiké Hernandez, Adam Liberatore & More Sent To Minors

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

With the Los Angeles Dodgers needing to set their 25-man roster prior to noon pacific time on Sunday, the first dominos began to fall after their eighth tie of Spring Training Saturday.

Kiké Hernandez hit a game-tying solo home run in the ninth inning and as a reward, he was one of a handful of players sent down as the Dodgers announced he, along with Chris Heisey and Adam Liberatore were optioned to the Minors. Additionally, the Dodgers reassigned David Aardsma, David Huff and Sergio Santos to Minor League camp.



Manager Don Mattingly spoke highly of Hernandez on multiple occasions during camp. He lauded him for his versatility and expressed little concern over Hernandez’s scuttling start at the plate. Mattingly’s hunch wound up holding true as Hernandez turned a corner and finished the spring with six home runs.

Chris Heisey never quite found his footing with the bat and was his Achilles heel in a crowded outfield picture. Heisey said the Dodgers informed him of their plan after acquiring him and for now, that appears to be a role in the Minors as organizational depth.

President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman reunited with Liberatore soon after arriving in Los Angeles by trading for him and Joel Peralta. The left-hander finished the spring with 10.1 scoreless innings over 11 appearances and was a likely a victim of being a reliever with options; Paco Rodriguez’s strong outings also worked against Liberatore.

Santos got off to a strong start then faltered a bit and allowed at least one run in four of his last six outings. He’s signed to a Minor-League deal that has a May 1 opt-out clause. David Huff pitched relatively well in six appearances, including three starts. Huff’s experience as a reliever and starter figures to be of value to the Dodgers.

Aardsma allowed two runs over 10 innings with both runs coming in the same game. By process of elimination, the Dodgers bullpen figures to be comprised of Pedro Baez, Yimi Garcia, Chris Hatcher, J.P. Howell, Juan Nicasio, Peralta and Rodriguez come Opening Day.

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2 Comments

  1. Kike looks like a winner, and I gather the D’s want him to play every day, as opposed to rotting on the bench. he’ll be back with almost any injury to a position player. We’ll see Libatore this year in the majors, he’s got to be high on the depth chart, and he’s definitely earned a chance. Nicosio didn’t look as good as some of the pitchers they cut, but the roster is fluid, if he underperforms, he’ll be gone soon enough.

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