Dodgers News: Weird Kiké Hernandez bobblehead night, Walker Buehler, Blake Treinen

The Los Angeles Dodgers saved Kiké Hernandez from the Boston Red Sox before the trade deadline, which ended up helping all parties. The Sox saved some money, the Dodgers improved their depth, and Hernandez has, for the time being, rediscovered himself in familiar territory.

It's a small sample size, but Hernandez is hitting .317 with an .877 OPS in his first 12 games with the Dodgers. He already has six doubles in 41 at-bats after registering just 11 in 297 with the Red Sox. Maybe the Dodgers were onto something when they said they spotted something in his mechanics that they could fix.

In reality, though, Hernandez has felt like a prime trade candidate dating back to last year ever since the Red Sox slipped into irrelevancy. Even Chaim Bloom and the front office probably knew that was his inevitable fate, too.

Think they could've maybe communicated that to the Red Sox PR team, though? Maybe should've told them Kiké Hernandez World Baseball Classic bobblehead night should probably occur before the trade deadline?

Because the folks in Boston at Wednesday night's Red Sox game received a Kiké Hernandez World Baseball Classic bobblehead when he's no longer a member of the team.

Dodgers News: Weird Kiké Hernandez bobblehead night, Walker Buehler, Blake Treinen

It tracks, though, because this is the same organization/regime that traded Mookie Betts. Dodgers fans who happen to collect memorabilia will probably have access to a cool new piece of history when most of these hit eBay over the next week. First Betts, then JD Martinez, then Ryan Brasier, then Hernandez, and now this?!

OK, onto real Dodgers' business. The pitching staff is limping along at the moment but with Clayton Kershaw returning Thursday, it'll get a boost, or at least a nudge in the right direction. (There's no listed starter at the moment, but it's expected to be him.)

Kersh won't be the last line of support reporting for duty, though. Both Walker Buehler and Blake Treinen are on the mend, with the latter being a bit of a surprise. Manager Dave Roberts provided updates to the media before Wednesday's game.

It was revealed Buehler's next step in his rehab process would be facing live hitters after he threw a bullpen six days ago. The right-hander typically averages 95 MPH on his fastball, so he's not too far off. Another month of building up could get him back there, or close.

And then there's Treinen, who wasn't really expected to return in 2023. He claimed he was going to, but a lot of Dodgers fans resigned themselves to accepting they probably wouldn't see his bowling ball sinker this season. But the first big update came from assistant general manager Brandon Gomes a couple of days ago when he mentioned Treinen is a "possibility" to pitch for the Dodgers before the end of the year. Seeing his velocity increase dramatically when leveling up to face hitters also feels like a really good sign to back that news.

It's unfortunately worth asking what he'd be able to contribute if he does make it back, however. Treinen has pitched just five innings since the start of the 2022 season thanks to the shoulder issue he's currently recovering from. That's a long layoff that might require more time to help him return to form.

Then again, Treinen at 50% might be better than half the bullpen at the moment, so Dodgers fans will gladly take their chances.

MLB News: Dodgers land Hyun-Seok Jang, Shane McLanahan out for season

• Whoops, sorry! More awesome Dodgers news with the signing of top Korean prospect Hyun-Seok Jang
• Rays ace Shane McLanahan is out for the year with forearm tightness. Huge loss for Tampa.
• Blue Jays pitchers Hyun-Jin Ryu and Chad Green were struck with balls (a comebacker and a throw from the catcher) that may interrupt their progress, which could affect the AL Wild Card race.