The Los Angeles Dodgers are aiming to bounce back after suffering their first three-game sweep of the 2025 season — at the hands of their crosstown rivals, the Los Angeles Angels. After an uncharacteristically flat stretch, the Dodgers return to action Monday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks, welcoming back a much-needed boost to the lineup.
Outfielder Teoscar Hernández, sidelined since May 5 with a Grade 1 adductor strain, has been activated from the injured list and will immediately return to the starting lineup. In a corresponding move, the team optioned outfielder James Outman back to Triple-A.
“Teo was never expected to miss much time,” manager Dave Roberts said earlier in the week. “We were confident he’d be back before the end of May, and we’re excited to get him back in there.”
Los Angeles Dodgers Look to Snap Skid With Teoscar Hernández Back in Lineup vs. Diamondbacks
Hernández’s return couldn’t come at a better time for a slumping Dodgers team. Since his injury, the Dodgers are just 5-7, and their offense has struggled to find consistency. The three-game sweep at the hands of the Angels — capped off in front of a stunned crowd at Dodger Stadium — underscored how much Los Angeles missed the veteran slugger’s presence.
Before the injury, Hernández was on a tear, slashing .315/.333/.600 with nine home runs, 34 RBIs, and a 160 OPS+ in just 33 games, contributing 1.6 bWAR. His performance helped propel the Dodgers to an early lead in the NL West, and the team is hopeful his return will reignite a lineup that has gone cold.
The Dodgers currently sit atop the division but with a shrinking cushion — just one game ahead of both the San Diego Padres and the San Francisco Giants, and four games up on the Diamondbacks. Monday’s game kicks off a pivotal divisional series.
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Here’s the full lineup for Monday’s matchup against Arizona right-hander Brandon Pfaadt:
- Shohei Ohtani, DH
- Mookie Betts, SS
- Freddie Freeman, 1B
- Teoscar Hernández, RF
- Will Smith, C
- Max Muncy, 3B
- Michael Conforto, LF
- Tommy Edman, 2B
- Hyeseong Kim, CF
Andy Pages is not in the starting lineup as Hyeseong Kim gets the nod in centerfield. LA will start Jack Dreyer as an opener, followed by Landon Knack, who enters the game with a 5.89 ERA and 20 strikeouts on the season.
First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. PT / 10:10 p.m. ET, and the game will be televised on SportsNet LA.
Despite the recent struggles, they remain one of the most talented teams in baseball. With Hernández back and a crucial divisional matchup on deck, Monday could mark the start of a resurgence for the reigning World Series champions.
As the Dodgers aim to regain their footing, their message is clear: the slump ends now.