Dodgers surrender in 6th inning, allowing Padres to continue their onslaught
In a surprising turn of events, the Los Angeles Dodgers might be seein' Shohei Ohtani back on the mound before the mid-season break. So far, Ohtani - the Dodgers' newest recruit - hasn't pitched a game for the team since last season. But him throwin' a few pitches soon seems likely. However, he wasn't quite ready for action on Tuesday night.
The Dodgers took quite the beating from the San Diego Padres on Tuesday, and things got so out of hand that even Kiké Hernández got called up to pitch in the 6th inning, as reported by FOX Sports: MLB on X. Hernández, known for his positional flexibility, usually finds himself workin' in the middle infield or outfield. But he's already pitched for the Dodgers twice this season.
Kiké Hernández Toes the Mound for the Dodgers
With his skills coverin' a multitude of positions - including first base, second, third, left field, and center - this season, the Dodgers might consider bringin' Hernández into the rotation more often, given their numerous injuries to the pitching staff this year. On Tuesday, Hernández managed to contain the Padres' bats, allowin' just one earned run on three hits and two walks in 2.1 innings.
The Dodgers have, on occasion, called on position players to pitch in blowout situations this season. Miguel Rojas made headlines in April when he mimicked the Dodgers' pitchers during a loss to the Chicago Cubs.
Prior to the game against the Padres, LA's president of baseball operations, Andrew Friedman, made a significant pitching move, recalling reliever Matt Sauer. With 14 pitchers on the injured list, the Dodgers are writin' in need of backup.
Although Sauer did well with the club earlier this season, postin' a 3.05 ERA and 0.92 WHIP, he struggled against the Padres. The 26-year-old righty allowed nine runs on 13 hits and three walks in 4.2 innings. Sauer's subpar performance paved the way for Hernández. And despite the criticism from some spectators, Hernández managed to hold his own.
Some commentators, like SWOLE and Box, weren't too impressed, with SWOLE askin', "Is he pitching with a helmet on lmfao?" and Box observin', "52 mph is crazy slow." But others, like Joe Giannotti and Hater League Baseball, found Hernández's performance admirable. Giannotti stated, "This is ridiculous and should be illegal until the 8th inning," while Hater League Baseball jokingly suggested, "He's better than Devin Williams." And Duane, ever the optimist, commented, "It's going to be tough gettin' to 162-0 with this kind of pitching...but i got faith."
Enrichment Data:Kiké Hernández has pitched eight times throughout his MLB career, including four appearances last season and one for the Boston Red Sox in 2018. Recently, he pitched for 2.1 innings against the San Diego Padres, showcasing his versatility. While injuries and bullpen depth issues can lead position players to pitch, Hernández's outings are more about his utility value and ability to contribute in different roles. Recently, he's even shown a knack for throwin' a cutter, which has been praised by Jackson Merrill. If the Dodgers continue to struggle with their bullpen or strategically use Hernández in specific situations, it's possible we'll see him pitch more often. But for now, it's more of a strategic use of his versatility rather than a regular trend due to injuries alone.
In light of the Dodgers' pitching staff's injuries, Kiké Hernandez's versatility may be utilized more frequently to reinforce the battered rotation. Presently, Hernandez is a valuable asset for the team due to his ability to cover multiple positions, including pitching.
Should the team's injuries persist or if tactical decisions require it, Hernandez could potentially take the mound more than just in blowout situations. However, his pitching appearances remain primarily a strategic tool to compensate for multiple positions rather than a regular pattern solely due to injuries.
