The Los Angeles Dodgers’ 7–4 win over the Miami Marlins on Monday came at a potential cost. Star right fielder Teoscar Hernández exited the game with what was described as left hamstring tightness, and while no diagnosis has been made, the concern within the organization is real.
“He’s a guy that just doesn’t come out of games by way of injury,” manager Dave Roberts said postgame. “That’s a little concerning, given the person.”
Hernández first felt the tightness in the bottom of the third inning while chasing down a ball in the gap. Though he finished the inning, he was replaced in the fourth by Chris Taylor. Roberts later confirmed that the team would send Hernández for an MRI on Tuesday and would add a player to the taxi squad in the event a trip to the injured list becomes necessary. “[Tuesday] will be telling,” Roberts added.
Los Angeles Dodgers Other Options If Teoscar Hernandez Misses Time
If Hernández misses time, the loss would be significant for a Dodgers team currently off to a 24–11 start. The 31-year-old is slashing .315/.372/.561 with a .933 OPS and a league-best 34 RBI so far in 2025. He’s following up a stellar 2024 campaign, where he hit 33 home runs, captured his third career Silver Slugger, and earned a three-year, $66 million contract from the Dodgers.
Chris Taylor filled in admirably on Monday night, going 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI. If Hernández’s absence is brief, Taylor could hold down the fort in right field without much disruption to the lineup. However, should this turn into a longer-term issue, Los Angeles will be forced to explore other solutions.
The club currently has two outfielders on the 40-man roster who are stationed in Triple-A: James Outman and Esteury Ruiz. Outman, who hit 23 homers as a rookie in 2023, struggled to maintain consistency last year and has since found success again in the minors with an .830 OPS and eight home runs through 32 games.
Ruiz, on the other hand, brings a different skill set. Acquired in April from Oakland, the speedster led the American League in steals in 2023 with 67 and already has 15 this season in Triple-A. While not known for his power, his elite base-running could offer a unique dynamic if called up.
While the extent of Hernández’s injury remains unknown, the Dodgers are preparing contingency plans. As Roberts emphasized, the next 24 hours will be pivotal in determining just how much the team will need to adjust.