Was there ever any doubt? Probably not much, but now that Spring Training is underway, the Dodgers made the seemingly inevitable reunion with Enrique Hernandez official. He’ll be returning on a one-year deal worth $4.5 million, just a little less than what he made last season.
He’s baaaaaack. pic.twitter.com/rW9Yq5s19C
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) February 12, 2026
Speaking of last season, he actually had one of the worst years of his career, posting a .203/.255/.366/.621 line with a 72 OPS+ while also missing time due to a left elbow injury. Historically, he’s been a lefty killer, but hasn’t had an OPS over .700 against them since 2022.
So why would a team going for a three-peat re-sign him?
Well, Hernandez still ended up doing his job for the team by covering five different positions in the field — plus taking some hacks as a DH and pitching a bit on the mound — and he’ll be relied upon to do that again in 2026.
But most importantly, as we all know, he came up with big moments in the playoffs again.
KIKÉ, DO YOU LOVE ME?#WORLDSERIES pic.twitter.com/WQx5nFbdXa
— MLB (@MLB) November 1, 2025
His career .272/.339/.486/.826 line in the playoffs will earn him a roster spot, and he was well on his way to another stellar playoff campaign last year before he aggravated the aforementioned left elbow injury that would later require surgery.
Guess so, lol. pic.twitter.com/lYd1ubvSMF
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) November 16, 2025
Remarkably, it seems like no matter how he performs during the regular season, he steps it up in the playoffs and ends up playing a key role for the Dodgers. They’re betting on him doing it yet again.
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It’s worth noting that as things currently stand, Hernandez becomes a prime candidate to be placed on the 60-day IL to clear a 40-man roster spot due to his injury. But with the playoffs not really in doubt, the Dodgers have the luxury of not optimizing their roster for the 162-game marathon, and his absence there is unlikely to be of any consequence.
So yeah, not really a whole lot to object to here on a deal like this. A proven performer when it matters most, utility to fill in the gaps as needed, and intangibles as a veteran on the squad coming back for a run at the three-peat. The gang is back together.