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Teoscar Hernández is expected to miss approximately a month with the Grade 1 hamstring strain he suffered earlier this week, per Bill Plunkett at the Orange County Register. That timeline, if it holds, would put him on track to return sometime around the end of June or early July — meaning we’re looking at a significant stretch without one of our most important bats in the lineup.

Hernández has been one of the Dodgers’ most dependable offensive contributors since signing with the club ahead of the 2024 season. The veteran outfielder earned his second consecutive All-Star nod that year, slugging 33 home runs and driving in 99 while helping Los Angeles win the World Series. He re-signed on a three-year deal worth $66 million that offseason, cementing himself as a core piece of this roster. In 2026, he’s continued to be a middle-of-the-order force, and losing him for a full month creates a real hole — not just in production, but in lineup balance. He’s the kind of hitter who makes everyone around him better simply by being in the lineup.

A Grade 1 hamstring strain is the mildest classification, but hamstring injuries are notoriously tricky. Rushing back risks aggravation, and with a player as physically active as Hernández — who plays a corner outfield spot and runs hard on the bases — the Dodgers will almost certainly err on the side of caution. I’d expect a rehab assignment before he’s activated, which could push the timeline even further depending on how he responds.

The timing is rough. We’re already dealing with a pitching staff stretched thin by injuries to Blake Snell (on the 60-day IL) and Tyler Glasnow (whose back recovery has stalled). Losing Hernández on the position-player side compounds things. The Dodgers have depth — that’s always been the front office’s philosophy — but depth gets tested when you’re missing this caliber of player for an extended stretch.

On the bright side, this could mean more at-bats for some of the younger players already getting extended looks. We’ve talked about guys like Andy Pages potentially seeing increased playing time, and the outfield picture gets more interesting with Hernández sidelined. Tommy Edman is progressing through his rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City, which helps, but he profiles more as an infield option even with his outfield versatility.

The bottom line: losing Hernández for a month hurts, plain and simple. He’s one of the better right-handed bats in the National League, and there’s no one-for-one replacement on this roster. The Dodgers will need contributions from multiple guys to cover what he brings. We’ll be watching the timeline closely as June progresses.

Source(s): Bill Plunkett (Orange County Register) | First reported: May 31, 2026 9:49 PM UTC

God Bless and Go Dodgers