When can Dodgers fans expect Kiké Hernández to return to the active roster?

For the first time in his career, Kiké Hernández missed both spring training and Opening Day. And while his rehab from left elbow surgery has moved relatively smoothly, the veteran utilityman still appears to have a few more hurdles to clear before rejoining the Los Angeles Dodgers active roster.

Hernández is technically eligible to return from the 60-day injured list on May 24, but eligibility and activation are not necessarily the same thing — especially for a 34-year-old player recovering from tendon surgery in his throwing elbow.

Right now, the biggest priority for both Hernández and the Dodgers is making sure he feels fully healthy and capable of contributing in the versatile role Los Angeles expects from him. By his own admission, last season became physically miserable. That alone suggests the Dodgers are unlikely to rush him back the moment he becomes eligible.

Dodgers don't need to rush Kiké Hernández back from injury rehab

The early results of Hernández's rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City also indicate he may need additional at-bats before returning. Hernández is just 2-for-15 with a double through his first five rehab games, and after missing all of spring training, timing at the plate was always expected to be one of the final pieces to return.

Still, there are encouraging signs. Hernández said he’s ahead of schedule physically, and perhaps most importantly, he’s finally pain-free. For a player whose value comes from defensive versatility, clubhouse leadership and postseason reliability as much as regular-season production, health matters far more than putting up huge rehab numbers in May.

The Dodgers also know exactly what Hernández brings when the games matter most. Despite hitting just .203 with 10 home runs during the regular season last year, he once again elevated his play in October — something that has become routine throughout his career. His postseason résumé remains one of the strongest among active utility players, featuring a .272 batting average and .826 OPS in playoff action.

Because of that trust, the Dodgers probably don't need Hernández to dominate Triple-A pitching before activating him. They simply need him healthy enough to handle multiple positions without risking another setback.

Assuming Hernández continues progressing without pain or swelling, a return sometime in late May or early June feels realistic. The Dodgers will almost certainly prioritize caution over urgency, especially with Hernández himself making clear that simply being healthy again is the biggest victory of all.

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