Where Kike Hernandez will play in 2026 Dodgers debut

With almost a third of the 2026 MLB season officially in the books, the Los Angeles Dodgers have officially activated Kike Hernandez from the IL, bringing their super utilityman back for his first start since World Series Game 7.

With Santiago Espanal designated for assignment to make room for the veteran bat on the 40-man roster, fans openly wondered where Hernandez would get his first taste of action in 2026, be that at third base, second base, or in the outfield as a replacement for one of the team’s everyday starters. However, considering Max Muncy still isn’t back after being hit on the wrist by the Milwaukee Brewers, the choice for Dave Roberts was obvious: play Hernandez at third base while hitting ninth in the order.

Welcome back, Kiké!

Tonight’s #Dodgers lineup vs. Rockies: pic.twitter.com/35cAh6LuDU

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 25, 2026

Discussing how he plans to use Hernandez moving forward before the Rockies series, Roberts noted that he isn’t putting Kike in a single box moving forward but will instead use him a little bit and a little bit there, depending on what the team needs.

“Yeah you know he’ll kind of bounce around, which he has the ability to do,” Hernandez said. “He’ll play some third, he’ll play some second, you know if there’s an opportunity to spell you know somebody out there in the outfield, he might do that too, but yeah, and being available off the bench and pinch hitting spots, but you know some of it depends on you know when Max, how Max is feeling and kind of see how that goes.”

While only time will tell how much and where Hernandez plays during the regular season, one thing is clear: when October rolls around, Kike Hernandez will be an important part of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ World Series strategy.

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