THE “SPRING TRAINING STRIKE”: A STRATEGIC DELAY
LOS ANGELES, CA—The air of inevitability surrounding Enrique “Kiké” Hernández and the Los Angeles Dodgers has reached a fever pitch. While the utilityman remains a free agent following the team’s 2025 World Series title, all signs in the industry suggest that a reunion is not just likely—it is a calculated part of the Dodgers’ 2026 roster design.
The reason for the silence? It isn’t a lack of interest. It is a procedural masterstroke involving the 60-day Injured List (IL) and Kiké’s recent, significant elbow surgery.
THE INJURY REALITY: WORSE THAN ASSUMED
In late November 2025, Hernández revealed that the elbow injury he played through during the postseason was a torn extensor muscle that had completely detached from the bone. The subsequent surgery was successful, but the recovery timeline is the key to the Dodgers’ strategy:
- The Recovery Window: Kiké is expected to miss the first month or two of the 2026 regular season.
- The 40-Man Roster Game: By waiting until Spring Training to officially sign Hernández, the Dodgers can immediately place him on the 60-day IL. This allows him to rehab within the organization without occupying a precious 40-man roster spot during the heavy lifting of the offseason and early spring.
- Andrew Friedman’s Hint: During the Winter Meetings, the Dodgers’ President of Baseball Operations was blunt: “We’ll never shut the door on Kiké.”
THE “AVENGERS” REACTION: KIKÉ’S UNMISTAKABLE SOCIAL SIGNALS
While other free agents scrub their social media or post cryptic “question mark” emojis (something Kiké famously did in years past), his 2025 offseason behavior has been anything but neutral.
- The Edwin Díaz Response: When the Dodgers stunned the league by signing elite closer Edwin Díaz to a $69 million deal on December 9, Kiké was the first to react. He reposted the news with a defiant “F AROUND AND FIND OUT!!!” and a trumpet emoji—the reaction of a man who already considers himself part of the “Avengers” roster.
- The Profile Picture: As of mid-December, his social media profile still features him triumphantly holding the World Series trophy in a Dodgers uniform. Fans have interpreted this lack of a “question mark” as a signal that the deal is effectively done, pending the administrative timing.
- The “Three-Peat” Talk: In multiple interviews, Hernández hasn’t spoken about “testing the market,” but rather about the Dodgers’ pursuit of a historic back-to-back-to-back (three-peat) championship run.
ESTIMATED VALUE: THE “POSTSEASON TAX”
| Metric | 2025 Regular Season | The “October” Trust |
| Batting Avg | .203 (Career Low) | .250 (Postseason) |
| Defensive Versatility | 7 Positions Played | The ultimate “Late-Inning Swiss Army Knife.” |
| Contract Prediction | 1 Year / $5M–$6.5M | Likely a deal similar to his 2025 pact. |
| Intangibles | Clubhouse “Vibe” Leader | The bridge between the superstars and the bench. |
THE VERDICT: THE “WHEN,” NOT THE “IF”
The Dodgers have already brought back fellow veteran Miguel Rojas, signaling their commitment to maintaining the core chemistry of the 2024-2025 championship runs. Bringing back Kiké isn’t about his .203 regular-season average; it’s about the fact that he has played in more postseason games (103) than almost anyone in franchise history.
Expect the announcement to drop shortly after pitchers and catchers report to Camelback Ranch in February. The Banana isn’t going anywhere.
