Injuries are a frightening thing at this time of a baseball season, and the Los Angeles Dodgers found that out on Friday night.
Earlier in the day, the Dodgers had already found out that reliable starting pitcher Gavin Stone would be headed to the 15-day injured list. Then, the news got worse in the very first inning of L.A.'s game against the Cleveland Guardians.
All-Star outfielder Teoscar Hernandez, who has played in 138 of the Dodgers' 141 games this season, was hit with a slider on the left foot from Cleveland pitcher Matthew Boyd. He exited the game with what the Dodgers labeled a "foot contusion."
Manager Dave Roberts spoke about the injury on SportsNet LA after the game, and didn't sound upbeat.
"Not great," Roberts said when asked about Hernandez's outlook. "X-ray was negative. We're gonna get some scans tomorrow just to... get some more information. He's as tough as they come and he couldn't move his foot, so I don't see how it's not gonna be an IL."
The final decision on an IL stint is likely to take a couple more days, Roberts said.
Losing Hernandez for any amount of time would be tough, as the righty has been one of the most consistent bats in the L.A. lineup. With 28 home runs, 87 RBI, and an .819 OPS, Hernandez has lived up to every penny of the $23 million deal he signed this winter.
Hernandez also made his second All-Star game in 2024 and won the Home Run Derby in dramatic fashion over Kansas City Royals star Bobby Witt Jr.
The Dodgers have one of the most talented lineups in baseball, but their ability to weather the storm is likely to be tested. All they can hope now is that their outfield star is back to full health by their first postseason game.
More MLB: Is Dodgers manager Dave Roberts on hot seat? 'Seems ridiculous,' insider says
