The Dodgers have dropped two straight games for the first time in a month, and while that is not such a big deal, the fact that the team was knocked around by the Astros in those two games does raise some concerns. And while the focus on injuries on this roster has mostly revolved around the pitching staff, there is a lineup concern that has grown up, too.
That would be slugging outfielder Teoscar Hernandez, who fouled a pitch off his foot in Saturday’s loss and was still feeling the effects of that on Sunday afternoon. Manager Dave Roberts opted to hold him out of the finale against Houston, and further, said he will get some medical testing.
“He’s a little banged up with the foot, the foul ball,” Roberts explained. “That’s actually the reason why he’s not in there today. We’ll see how his foot feels. If we get some testing, that might kind of paint a better picture.”
Teoscar Hernandez Up-And-Down for Dodgers
After an All-Star season in 2024, Hernandez has been down a bit in 2025. He is batting .255, but with just 15 walks, he has posted an on-base percentage of just .291. He has 14 homers and a slugging percentage of .468, well down from last year’s OPS of .840.
After a relatively slow free-agent period, Hernandez finally signed a one-year, $23.5 million contract that was a disappointment to him. He had expectations of signing a bigger long-term deal, and was rumored to be in the market for something in the range of three years and $75 million.
Hernandez needs a big year to earn himself a major deal in free agency this winter. He has already had one stint on the disabled list, in May, and would really like to avoid another.
“I wanted to go to a team that can compete and be in the playoffs and … makes me a better player,” Hernández said when he signed. “That’s the biggest reason I signed with the Dodgers.”
GM Brandon Gomes said at the time that the Dodgers want to make Hernandez an everyday player–though he is batting only .231 vs. righties and .356 vs. lefties.
“We’re planning on Teo being an everyday guy,” Gomes said in January. “We feel like his power and ability to really handle left-handed pitching was an exceptional fit for how our lineup is constructed.”
Dodgers Announce Worrisome News on Teoscar Hernandez