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The Dodgers activated Kiké Hernández from the 60-day injured list ahead of Monday’s Memorial Day game against the Rockies, per Dodger Blue. The corresponding move: Santiago Espinal has been designated for assignment. This was the expected next step after Hernández completed his rehab assignment, and now it’s official.

Hernández has been a Dodger in two separate stints now, and his value has never been about one position or one stat line. He’s the kind of player who can slot in at second base, shortstop, center field — wherever the team needs him on a given night. He’s a postseason hero (we all remember the 2021 NLCS) and a clubhouse presence that’s hard to quantify. The 60-day IL stint kept him out for a significant chunk of the first two months, so there will be some rust to shake off. But Hernández at his best gives the Dodgers a switch-hitting utility option with real defensive versatility and a knack for showing up in big moments. His rehab assignment reportedly went well, which is the main thing. Getting him back healthy is what matters.

Espinal, meanwhile, becomes the odd man out — and honestly, this was the path of least resistance. He was brought in as depth, and he filled that role, but he never really carved out consistent playing time or produced at a level that made him indispensable. Espinal is a solid defender at the infield corners and second base, but his bat has been limited throughout his career. With Hernández back and the Dodgers’ roster crunch only getting tighter as other players return from injury, there just wasn’t room. He’ll go through the DFA process — other teams can claim him, or he could clear waivers and be outrighted to the minors.

For the Dodgers, this is a clean, straightforward roster transaction. Hernández gives them something Espinal couldn’t quite replicate: positional flexibility across both the infield and outfield, a switch-hitting bat with occasional pop, and deep institutional knowledge of how this organization operates in October. The roster is getting healthier, and that’s a good problem to have. I expect Hernández to ease back in with some platoon starts and late-game defensive substitutions before he’s running out there every day. The Dodgers have the depth to be patient with him, and they should be.

One more thing worth flagging: this DFA opens up a 40-man roster spot, which gives the front office a little more flexibility going forward. With the trade deadline still weeks away and more injured players working their way back, that kind of roster maneuverability matters. We covered the rehab assignment story earlier, and now the transaction is complete. Hernández is back. Let’s see what he’s got.

Source(s): Staff (Dodger Blue) | First reported: May 25, 2026 8:51 PM UTC

God Bless and Go Dodgers