Dodgers' Kiké Hernández back where he belongs: 'Clown in the clubhouse'

Kiké Hernández, 34, was activated from the injured list after an offseason elbow surgery and started the Dodgers’ opening game of a three-game series with the Colorado Rockies at Uniqlo Field. He bills himself as still 'the clown in the clubhouse' even as his role has grown as a postseason performer. The Dodgers brought him back to reinforce a lineup that relies on late-game contributions.

Hernández's postseason legacy includes three homers in Game 5 of the 2017 NLCS against the Cubs and the game-tying homer in the 2020 NLCS against the Braves; he also hit a decisive homer in the 2024 NLDS and has 16 career postseason homers, ranking among the top 20 all-time.