Kiké Hernández is back, but when will he actually return to the Dodgers?

The Los Angeles Dodgers are officially running it back with one of their October constants, bringing back Kiké Hernández on a one-year, $4.5 million deal for 2026.

In reuniting with Hernández (again), the Dodgers retain a versatile clubhouse favorite who shows up when the lights are brightest. But while the contract is signed and the vibes are immaculate, Hernández underwent left elbow surgery this offseason — a more extensive repair than was initially expected — after the Dodgers’ World Series run. He’s already ruled himself out of the 2026 World Baseball Classic, and by his own estimate, he could miss “a month or two” of the regular season.

The irony is that Hernández finished 2025 the way he so often does: playing through pain in October. He aggravated the elbow during the NLCS but still appeared in all 17 postseason games for the Dodgers, even turning a pivotal double play in Game 6 of the World Series to help seal another championship.

But Hernández's elbow had been an issue long before that. He first injured it on a head-first slide into home plate against the Cleveland Guardians on May 28. He tried to grind through it, but by July 7, he was on the injured list. What was initially expected to be a brief absence stretched into nearly two months. He didn’t return until Aug. 25, after nonsurgical procedures failed to fully resolve his discomfort.

Hernández's stat line reflected the grind: a .203/.255/.366 slash with 10 home runs in 92 games — well below his usual offensive impact. Now we know why.

When will Kiké Hernández actually return to play for the Dodgers in 2026?

If Hernández is estimating an absence of one to two months, that likely puts his realistic return somewhere between late April and mid-May — assuming no setbacks. For a player whose value is built on defensive flexibility and timing at the plate, a measured rehab process makes sense.

The Dodgers, fresh off back-to-back titles, don’t need to rush Hernández. But they will need to plan around him.

Hernández is a super-utility man who can cover second, third, short and the outfield corners without blinking. He lengthens the bench, and he's the October wild card who can flip a series with one swing or one defensive play. Early in 2026, though, that role may belong to someone else.

There’s also a subtle long-term element here. Hernández is 34. Elbow repairs aren’t minor procedures for a player who throws from multiple infield spots and relies on quick, reactive movements. Even if he’s back by May, the Dodgers will likely manage his workload carefully.

That doesn’t make the deal questionable. At $4.5 million, it’s a modest bet on a player who has repeatedly proven his postseason value. It just reframes expectations. The Dodgers will likely time the ramp-up so that, when October rolls around again, Hernández is healthy enough to do what he always seems to do: show up exactly when the Dodgers need him most.