Dodgers’ Kiké Hernandez Set to Start in Must-Win World Series Game 6 Despite Elbow, Back Injuries
With the Los Angeles Dodgers facing elimination in Game 6 of the 2025 World Series Dodger Stadium, Enrique "Kiké" Hernandez — 33, Puerto Rican utility man, and emotional engine of the Dodgers’ lineup — is set to start in left field despite a grueling season of injuries that nearly ended his year in July. The twist? He’s not supposed to be playing at all.
From Pain-Free Morning to Playoff Hero
Hernandez’s 2025 season was supposed to be a quiet, reliable anchor in the middle of the Dodgers’ ever-shifting infield and outfield. Instead, it became a medical marathon. After an awkward slide in late May left him with persistent left elbow inflammation, he was placed on the 10-day injured list on July 7. Doctors tried everything: cortisone, platelet-rich plasma, stem cell hydrodissection — all failed. Then, four days before he started feeling better, came the fourth injection. "I almost cried in the morning," Hernandez told reporters. "It was the first morning that I woke up pain-free." By August 11, manager Dave Roberts, 52, was optimistic. Hernandez had swung a bat again on July 28, thrown, run, fielded grounders. The big hurdle? Swinging without pain. He cleared it. And on September 3, he began a five-game rehab stint with the Oklahoma City Baseball Club, the Dodgers’ AAA affiliate. He went 5-for-14 (.357), with two doubles and three RBIs, playing third, left, and center. He wore a protective sleeve in every game — except one. He kept wearing it after returning.The Back That Wouldn’t Quit
Just when it seemed the elbow was behind him, the back betrayed him. During Game 1 of the Wild Card series against the Cincinnati Reds on October 22, Hernandez exited in the seventh inning with "back tightness." Roberts said he’d play the next day. He did. And then again. And again. By the NLCS, Roberts confirmed Hernandez was "healthy," despite earlier footage of him limping. The extra days off after the NLDS win? That’s what saved him. "He’s been fighting through this whole thing," Roberts said. "He doesn’t complain. He just plays." Hernandez’s regular season numbers — .195 average, eight homers, 22 RBIs, .626 OPS — didn’t scream star. But in the playoffs, he became something else: a clutch hitter with a knack for timing. He launched a solo home run in Game 3 of the World Series, a quiet moment that briefly tied the game. It wasn’t a grand slam. But it was the kind of hit that keeps a team alive.Why Kiké Matters More Than Stats
The Dodgers have lost six of their top nine position players to injury this postseason. Catcher Will Smith, 29, put it bluntly: "Fighting through injuries, fighting through expectations and all that. This is a tough group, and I got no problem going in there and winning two games." Hernandez is the embodiment of that toughness. He’s not the fastest. Not the strongest. But he’s the guy who shows up with a smile after five injections, who plays three positions in a single rehab game, who swings through pain like it’s just another pitch. His value isn’t in the box score — it’s in the locker room, in the dugout, in the way teammates look at him when they need a spark.
What Comes Next
If the Dodgers win Game 6 on October 29, Hernandez will be the unlikely hero — not because he hit .357 in Oklahoma City, but because he showed up when no one expected him to. If they lose, his season ends not with surgery, but with a quiet nod to the medical staff, a thank-you to the trainers, and a promise to come back stronger.His contract expires after 2025. The Dodgers have said nothing about re-signing him. But if you ask anyone in the clubhouse, they’ll tell you: you don’t just replace Kiké Hernandez. You replace a spirit. And that’s harder than any rehab.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many medical procedures did Kiké Hernandez undergo for his elbow injury?
Hernandez underwent four distinct procedures: an initial cortisone injection, followed by platelet-rich plasma treatment, then hydrodissection with stem cells, and finally a second cortisone injection — the fourth and only one that brought lasting relief. Each procedure was spaced weeks apart, with the final injection administered just days before he reported his first pain-free morning on August 7, 2025.
Why was Hernandez wearing a protective sleeve during his rehab?
The protective sleeve was a precautionary measure to stabilize his left elbow and reduce inflammation during physical activity. He wore it in all five rehab games with Oklahoma City except one, and continued using it upon returning to the majors — a sign he was still managing residual sensitivity, even after the pain subsided. It was more about psychological comfort than medical necessity at that point.
What impact did Hernandez’s injuries have on the Dodgers’ postseason roster?
Hernandez’s absence forced the Dodgers to shuffle their lineup constantly, using seven different players at third base alone during the postseason. His versatility allowed manager Dave Roberts to plug him into multiple spots, but his injuries contributed to a 30% drop in offensive production from the 2024 regular season to 2025 playoffs. His return in Game 6 provided not just a bat, but a stabilizing presence.
Is Kiké Hernandez expected to return to the Dodgers in 2026?
The Dodgers have not publicly addressed Hernandez’s future. His contract expires after the 2025 season, and while his clubhouse value is high, his offensive numbers (.195 average, .626 OPS) and age (33) make him a risky re-signing. However, if he returns healthy in spring training, his adaptability and leadership could earn him a one-year deal — possibly with a team needing a veteran utility player.
How did Hernandez’s back injury affect his performance in the World Series?
Though Hernandez was cleared to play, his back tightness limited his range in the outfield and affected his swing mechanics early in the World Series. He was visibly stiff before games, and his bat speed dipped slightly compared to his rehab performance. But his ability to adjust — shortening his swing, relying on contact over power — allowed him to still contribute, including his solo homer in Game 3.
What makes Kiké Hernandez’s recovery from multiple elbow treatments remarkable?
Most players with four failed elbow treatments would have opted for season-ending surgery. Hernandez’s refusal to accept that outcome — and his willingness to endure repeated injections, rehab, and setbacks — is rare in modern baseball. His case highlights the growing trend of non-surgical interventions in MLB, but also underscores how individual biology can defy medical expectations.
Written By Landon Hawthorne
Hi, I'm Landon Hawthorne and I'm a sports enthusiast with a passion for writing about all things athletic. My expertise in sports allows me to provide in-depth analysis, exciting play-by-play commentary, and thought-provoking opinion pieces to engage readers. I have covered various sports events locally and internationally, always striving to bring a fresh perspective to my audience. In my free time, you can find me participating in sports activities or discussing the latest games with fellow fans.
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