Kike’ Hernandez re-signs with Dodgers on one-year deal

He’s ba-ack.

One day before Dodgers pitchers and catchers will report to Camelback Ranch for the start of spring training, Kike’ Hernandez announced on social media that he had re-signed with the Dodgers. The agreement is a one-year deal.

A fan favorite, Hernandez returned for his second stint with the Dodgers when he was acquired at mid-season in 2023 after two seasons with the Boston Red Sox. He re-signed on a one-year contract last spring and became a free agent again this winter.

The Dodgers had a standing offer to Hernandez, valuing his energy in the clubhouse and history of stepping up in the postseason. Hernandez explored the free-agent market before accepting that offer.

His return calls into question the status of veteran utilityman Chris Taylor who is in the final year of a four-year, $60 million contract and is coming off the worst season of his career with the Dodgers (a .202 average and .596 OPS). If Taylor remains on the roster, young outfielders Andy Pages and James Outman are likely headed back to Triple-A.

Hernandez was headed to the worst season of his career through July 24 last year. He was batting .193 with a .567 OPS at that point. Over the rest of the regular season, however, he hit .280 with a .777 OPS then took it to another level in the postseason with a .294 average, .808 OPS and two home runs.

Over his 11-year career, Hernandez is a .238 hitter with a .713 OPS. In 86 postseason games, however, he has hit .278 with an .874 OPS and 15 home runs.