LOS ANGELES -- Teoscar Hernández looks like he might be on the verge of returning to the Dodgers’ lineup.
Hernández, who has been on the 10-day injured list since May 6 with a left groin strain, will begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Saturday and can possibly be activated as soon as Monday, according to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.
“I’m hoping to get him back potentially on Monday,” Roberts said on Friday.
There was initially some trepidation about the severity of Hernández’s injury. An MRI revealed a Grade 1 abductor strain and Roberts acknowledged the outfielder would be out for “a while.” But those fears seem to have largely subsided, with Hernández progressing to take live batting practice during the Dodgers’ ongoing homestand.
Another key piece of the Dodgers’ lineup might be making his return soon. Roberts mentioned that he’s hopeful Tommy Edman will be activated for Sunday’s series finale against the Angels.
Getting Hernández and Edman back would be a huge boost to the Dodgers. Hernández has a .315 batting average, nine home runs and a .933 OPS. Edman is batting .252 with eight homers and an .818 OPS. But it does raise questions about what the impending returns mean for recent callups such as Hyeseong Kim and James Outman, who both have Minor League options.
Kim has thrived since being called up on May 3, posting a .429 batting average, five RBIs, three stolen bases and a 1.038 OPS through his first 12 Major League games.
“We have a group of guys, position player-wise, that we're going to run out there …,” Roberts said. “But coming off injury, do I see them playing as much as they did prior? Probably not for the early going. So I think that there'll be some runway for the guys that are not everyday players, essentially."
There’s also rookie catcher Dalton Rushing, who made his big league debut on Thursday night after being called up as longtime veteran Austin Barnes was designated for assignment.
Roberts sees a world in which Kim, Outman, and Rushing -- whose current plan is to catch once or twice a week to give starting catcher Will Smith a breather -- could potentially stay on in platoon roles after Hernández and Edman return. The real question: Would that be the best way for the youngsters to keep developing?
“I think that there's a lot of things that there's gray [area],” Roberts said. “In one camp, you can argue that Dalton should be down taking everyday at-bats, or five days a week. You could argue that Hyeseong should be playing six or seven days a week. You could argue James should be doing that. Or you could be arguing that being here around our guys is more beneficial.
“So, obviously, right now they're here with us, and I just can't foresee right now what moves are going to be made in the coming days.”