Speaking after the win, Roberts pointed to a key moment in the seventh inning when Arizona elected to intentionally walk Ohtani rather than challenge him with a runner on third base. “You want there to be a tax when you walk Shohei,” Roberts said, according to MLB.com.

The strategy ultimately backfired for the Diamondbacks. Ohtani later scored during a two-run inning that proved decisive, helping the Dodgers improve their recent run of success even as manager Roberts, who recently opened up on Kike Hernandez’s injury update, continues to guide a roster managing various health concerns.

Ohtani continues to power Dodgers offense

Ohtani wasted no time making his presence felt. He opened the game with a double and later came around to score on Freddie Freeman’s ninth home run of the season. In the second inning, he delivered again, ripping a two-run triple to right field after Dalton Rushing and Alex Freeland reached base.

The Dodgers built an early advantage behind Ohtani’s production, and although Arizona mounted a late comeback attempt, Los Angeles held on for the victory. Ohtani finished the night with two extra-base hits and continued a stretch that has seen him reestablish himself as one of baseball’s most dangerous hitters.

Since May 12, Ohtani has been one of the hottest players in the league, batting .420 with 13 extra-base hits. That surge comes after a difficult opening stretch in which he hit .233 across his first 38 games while searching for consistency at the plate.

Dodgers thriving as Ohtani finds his rhythm

The timing of Ohtani’s turnaround has coincided with one of the Dodgers’ strongest stretches of the season. Los Angeles has won 15 of its last 19 games, using a combination of elite pitching and improved offensive production to remain among the National League’s top contenders.

As the Dodgers continue their push through the summer months, Ohtani’s resurgence gives the club another reason for optimism. And based on Roberts’ comments, opposing teams may continue to think twice before pitching to him in critical situations.

A left hamstring strain forced Hernandez to exit early against the Rockies, and following the victory, manager Dave Roberts confirmed that a stint on the injured list is looming. The club is currently awaiting the results of an MRI to determine the exact severity of the strain and establish a timeline for his return.

In the meantime, versatile utility man Hyeseong Kim stepped up to finish out the Dodgers’ 4-1 victory. While the Korean utility man turned in a solid performance, anticipation is already building regarding who the front office will call up from Triple-A Oklahoma City to help fill the void left by Hernandez, with Ryan Ward and Alek Thomas emerging as a prime candidates.

This latest setback injects further uncertainty into a Dodgers roster already navigating the loss of Kike Hernandez, who recently addressed his own injury timeline with reporters. Roberts will need to pull the right strings to manage these concurrent absences as Los Angeles aims to sustain its World Series defense over the long haul of the regular season.

The potential replacements from Triple-A

With both Hernandezes sidelined, Roberts must weigh his most logical internal options to keep the lineup production from dipping. Up in Triple-A, players like Ward and Thomas represent the clear next-man-up options capable of fulfilling the demands of an organization playing at an elite level.

As Roberts evaluates how to patch the holes in the roster, let’s break down the minor league track records and MLB ones that Roberts will likely consider ahead of the upcoming stretch:

• Ward in Triple-A:
  • At-Bats (AB): 173
  • Batting Average (AVG): .260
  • On-Base Percentage (OBP): .386
  • On-Base Plus Slugging (OPS): .814
  • Home Runs (HR): 6
  • Runs Batted In (RBI): 31
  • Stolen Bases (SB): 6
• Ward in the MLB:
  • 2-for-6 (.333 AVG) with 1 RBI in limited action.
• Alek Thomas’ MLB stats with the Diamondbacks before DFA
  • Games Played: 28
  • At-Bats (AB): 94
  • Batting Average (AVG): .181
  • On-Base Percentage (OBP): .222
  • Slugging Percentage (SLG): .340
  • Home Runs (HR): 2
  • Runs Batted In (RBI): 10
  • Stolen Bases (SB): 4

Full IL for the Dodgers with Hernandez on it

Alongside Teoscar and Kike Hernandez, the Dodgers have several key pieces currently rehabbing on the shelf. Getting these players back could provide a massive second-half shot in the arm as Los Angeles gears up for the postseason push. Let’s look at the complete injury report:

• Teoscar Hernandez (LF): Left hamstring strain.
• Kike Hernandez (INF/OF): Left oblique strain.
• Tommy Edman (INF/OF): Right ankle surgery recovery.
• Max Muncy is currently avoiding the IL but remains day-to-day as he manages lingering wrist pain.
• Tyler Glasnow (RHP): Lower back spasms.
• Blake Snell (LHP): Elbow discomfort.
• Brock Stewart (RHP): Left foot bone spur.
• Jack Dreyer (LHP): Left shoulder discomfort.
• Evan Phillips (RHP): Tommy John surgery recovery.
• Edwin Diaz (RHP): Loose bodies in his right elbow
• Bobby Miller (RHP): Shoulder inflammation.
• Gavin Stone (RHP): Shoulder discomfort.
• Brusdar Graterol (RHP): Right shoulder inflammation.
• Jake Cousins (RHP): Right elbow strain.
• Ben Casparius (RHP): Shoulder discomfort.
• Landon Knack (RHP): Chest/rib injury.

“It’s a bummer,” Roberts said, according to MLB.com. “He’s missed a lot of time and worked hard to get back, was in great shape, added that spark that we had hoped. I just feel bad for him because he wanted to be back with us and worked hard.”

Hernandez was diagnosed with a left oblique strain after appearing in just two games following his recovery from offseason elbow surgery. Roberts later revealed that an MRI showed a “significant tear,” and the Dodgers now expect the 34-year-old to miss approximately six to eight weeks.

Hernandez’s return ends almost immediately

Hernandez had just returned after missing the first 53 games of the season while recovering from left elbow surgery. The 34-year-old looked sharp immediately upon returning to the lineup, going 4-for-4 across his first two games, including a home run and two doubles against the Rockies.

However, Hernandez later admitted the injury actually began during batting practice before his season debut. The discomfort worsened during Tuesday’s game, especially while swinging and running the bases, forcing Hernandez to exit early despite his strong performance at the plate.

Dodgers turn to Alex Freeland amid injury setback

With Hernandez sidelined once again, the Dodgers recalled infielder Alex Freeland from Triple-A Oklahoma City to take his roster spot. Freeland is expected to receive opportunities at second base against right-handed pitching while the Dodgers continue adjusting their infield rotation.

Despite the frustration, the Dodgers remain hopeful Hernandez can recover fully and potentially return later this summer as the team continues its push toward another postseason run.

Despite stating back in February that he intends to honor the remaining two years of his contract, and play until he turns 40 (two more years), then retire in a Dodgers uniform, but the recent birth of his daughter has significantly altered his perspective, hinting that an accelerated retirement timeline could be on the table.

“I don’t like seeing my daughter grow up on a FaceTime call,” Freeman told The Athletic. “When I’m sitting in a hotel room by myself at night after a game, I’m just like, ‘Oh man, what am I doing?’”

Those raw words have reverberated across the Dodgers’ landscape. While the first baseman continues to deliver elite production on the diamond, his shifting personal priorities could completely rewrite the long-term plans he voiced during Spring Training. With the franchise already navigating separate roster adjustments like Kike Hernandez’s recent setback, Freeman’s situation adds an unexpected layer of complexity to the front office’s future planning.

Will Freeman change his perspective on retirement?

Grappling with the grueling travel schedule of a Major League season and the reality of missing milestones in his newborn daughter’s life, the veteran infielder offered an emotional reflection on the sacrifices demanded by the game.

“I’m missing things for something she’ll never know,” Freeman said. “She’s not going to know I missed these things either. But it weighs on me and my heart. I think everybody who knows me knows it weighs on me hard.“

Crucially, Freeman clarified that he still intends to play out his current contract, which runs through the 2027 season, before sitting down with his family to evaluate his next steps. For Dodgers fans, that means the superstar first baseman will remain an anchor in Los Angeles for at least the next two seasons.

Freeman keeps delivering with Dodgers

On Tuesday night, Freeman proved that his off-field introspection hasn’t hindered his on-field execution, pacing the offense with two runs and two hits against the Colorado Rockies. On the season, the dependable veteran is slashing .260 with six home runs, 24 RBIs, and a strong .803 OPS.

Those steady numbers, juxtaposed with his candid comments, suggest a player navigating an incredibly emotional campaign, and a looming reality where his departure from the game may come sooner than fans ever anticipated.

While the exact timeline for Hernandez’s absence remains unclear, Roberts announced that infielder Alex Freeland will take his spot on the active roster. Hernandez is dealing with a strained left oblique, a brutal blow considering he had just returned from a separate injury that cost him the entire first two months of the season.

Hernandez visibly showed discomfort on the field but chose to play through it initially, as he later detailed to reporters postgame. Fortunately for the Dodgers, the offense didn’t skip a beat during the game, turning in an absolute clinic at the plate despite the dugout concern.

Meanwhile, superstars like Freddie Freeman continue to fuel the high expectations of the Los Angeles fan base. Freeman’s elite production this season is business as usual, keeping the powerhouse club firmly in position to defend its 2025 World Series title.

Hernandez’s stats during two games with Dodgers

Following his long-awaited season debut on Monday against the Colorado Rockies, Hernandez looked completely sharp and ready for the regular-season grind. But by Tuesday, everything fell apart in an unexpected turn of events that completely blindsided a medical staff that was confident he was fully healed.

In Monday’s debut, Hernandez provided an immediate spark by going 2-for-2 with an RBI double, an infield single, and a stolen base. He carried that momentum right into Tuesday’s contest, crushing a solo home run and adding another double before the oblique injury forced an early exit.

How can Freeland help the Dodgers?

Roberts didn’t hesitate to name Freeland as the primary option to help weather the storm while Hernandez heads back to the trainer’s room. Freeland will step into the utility role, and given his stellar track record in Triple-A, the Dodgers skipper is confident the young infielder can handle the assignment.

Freeland has been tearing the cover off the ball, slashing .265/.345/.592 with a monstrous .937 OPS, four home runs, and 16 RBIs in a limited sample size. If those numbers translate to the big-league roster, they will provide a major boost as Los Angeles looks to solidify its cushion atop the division.

“I was embarrassed because it didn’t even happen in the game,” Hernandez admitted after the matchup, according to ESPN. “I thought it was just weird tightness. Never done an oblique before, so I didn’t really know what I was feeling.”

Hernandez had only recently returned after missing the first 53 games of the season while recovering from offseason elbow surgery, something manager Dave Roberts opened up on when discussing Hernandez’s season debut. The 34-year-old quickly made an impact, going 4-for-4 with two doubles and a home run over his first two games back before exiting Tuesday’s contest in the fourth inning.

Hernandez reveals how injury worsened during game

Hernandez explained that the discomfort actually started during batting practice on Monday, but he initially believed it was minor enough to manage through treatment and rest.

“The homer swing felt awful,” Hernandez said. “The next at-bat I went out there, I swung and missed on the first pitch and didn’t feel great. After that I went into survival mode.”

The veteran said the injury originally only bothered him while swinging, but the pain eventually spread while running after his double later in the game. “When I hit the double, it didn’t just hurt to swing, it also hurt to run, so I knew that it was time to stop,” Hernandez added.

Dave Roberts hopeful injury will not become long-term issue

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the frustration surrounding Hernández’s latest setback, especially considering how strong he looked immediately after returning to the lineup. “It’s not a season-ending thing, so that’s something to be hopeful with,” Roberts said. “But yeah, it’s just a bummer.”

“It was good to have him back,” manager Dave Roberts said, according to ESPN. “There’s a lot of emotion and adrenaline and anticipation. That’s probably the thing you got to guard against, but he did a good job managing those emotions.”

Hernandez missed the Dodgers’ first 53 games while recovering from surgery to repair a torn muscle and torn extensor tendon in his left elbow. The 34-year-old admitted the injury heavily impacted him throughout last season, even as he helped Los Angeles win another World Series title.

Hernandez battled through pain before surgery

Hernandez revealed the severity of the injury after returning to the clubhouse, explaining how difficult it became to play through the pain during the 2025 season. “It was a rough year,” Hernandez said. “The best description that I can put on it is every time I would get in my batting stance I would feel like I had a blowtorch on.”

Despite the injury, Hernandez appeared in all 17 postseason games last October while helping the Dodgers capture their second straight World Series championship. Roberts praised the veteran’s toughness and noted that many people didn’t fully understand how serious the elbow issue had become.

Dodgers counting on Hernandez’s leadership moving forward

Beyond his versatility, Hernandez’s return also restores one of the Dodgers’ emotional leaders inside the clubhouse. “I’m in charge of checking guys,” Hernandez said. “I think guys know if I’m on them, and I’m tough on them, it means I care a lot about them.”

Hernandez signed a one-year contract to return for his 10th season with the Dodgers and now rejoins a team chasing another championship run. His return also comes at an important moment as the Dodgers manage Muncy’s absence.

Following the game, Muncy revealed that initial X-rays came back negative, although he admitted he was still dealing with pain after taking a 95.5 mph sinker from Brewers reliever Aaron Ashby. “Not feeling great right now, but it is a relief,” Muncy said, according to MLB.com. “We just got to monitor it the next couple days.”

The Dodgers slugger added that the protective wrist guard he has worn in recent seasons may have prevented a more serious injury. Muncy is not expected to play during the remainder of the weekend series while the swelling continues to be evaluated, coming as the Dodgers offered an update on Tyler Glasnow’s injury recovery.

Muncy optimistic after Dodgers injury scare

Despite the discomfort, Muncy sounded encouraged because the injury did not feel as severe as a previous wrist fracture he suffered in 2019 after being hit by a pitch. “I think we escaped the worst,” Muncy explained. “That’s why I’m feeling pretty optimistic about it.”

Manager Dave Roberts immediately removed Muncy from the game after trainers checked on him near first base. Roberts later confirmed that Santiago Espinal would handle third base duties while Muncy recovers.

Dodgers hoping to avoid losing key bat

If Muncy avoids a lengthy absence, it would be an important development for Los Angeles. The veteran infielder currently leads the Dodgers with 12 home runs and a .515 slugging percentage during a strong start to the season.

Roberts also expressed relief after the game while discussing the early test results. “I think right now, we are breathing a sigh of relief,” Roberts said.

When asked about the adjustment that sparked his multi-homer resurgence, Freeman kept it lighthearted. “I did a little swing change for the game, that’s all… hopefully, I’m able to replicate it tomorrow [laughs],” Freeman told reporters.

If that minor mechanical tweak keeps paying dividends against the Padres and beyond, it will provide a massive boost for a Dodgers offense that relies heavily on Freeman’s elite consistency at the plate.

While the front office provided a positive update on Tyler Glasnow’s injury recovery and return progress, the team continues to roll, maintaining an impressive 30-19 record. With Freeman snapping out of his slump and finding his power stroke, Los Angeles remains in prime position to defend its World Series title.

A closer look at Freeman’s recent bounce-back

Prior to Tuesday’s breakout, Freeman’s previous four games yielded uncharacteristic numbers. The All-Star went completely hitless, posting a .000 batting average (0-for-14) with four walks, six strikeouts, and two runs scored. The sudden drop-off had drawn concern from manager Dave Roberts, who noted that his star infielder had looked a bit fatigued.

Even with the multi-homer night against San Diego, Freeman’s season totals—four home runs and 20 RBIs—indicate he hasn’t quite played up to his usual MVP-caliber standards. However, Tuesday’s two-home-run blast could be the exact confidence booster he needs to kickstart a major hot streak.

Freeman’s next test will come in the high-stakes series finale against the Padres, who are fighting to keep pace with the Dodgers at the top of the NL West standings. After that division battle, the Dodgers will shift their focus to a matchup against the Milwaukee Brewers, a squad currently dealing with some internal postgame frustration from manager Pat Murphy.

According to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, Glasnow has resumed playing catch and is expected to begin throwing off a mound soon as he works his way back toward the rotation. “Tyler Glasnow has resumed playing catch over the last couple days. Goal is to get off a mound soon. When that happens, if all goes well, could go right back into the rotation,” Ardaya reported on X.

The right-hander was placed on the 15-day IL shortly after exiting his start against the Houston Astros on May 6, but early indications suggest his absence may be relatively short-term.

Glasnow progressing toward mound work

Glasnow’s rehab process has reportedly included light throwing and continued work in the training room as he builds strength in his back and core. Manager Dave Roberts confirmed that the pitcher is trending in the right direction but emphasized that Los Angeles will not rush him back into action immediately once he is eligible to return from the IL.

The Dodgers remain cautious given Glasnow’s injury history, even though his current setback is not considered long-term. The team plans to evaluate his readiness based on how he responds to mound work in the coming days.

Dodgers rotation outlook remains steady despite injury

Before landing on the injured list, Glasnow had been one of the most effective arms in the Dodgers rotation, posting a 3-0 record with a 2.72 ERA and 49 strikeouts across 39.2 innings.

His potential return would provide a significant boost to a rotation that continues to manage workloads early in the season. While no exact timetable has been set, the expectation remains that Glasnow could rejoin the staff without requiring an extended rehab assignment if his progression continues smoothly.

After throwing seven scoreless innings in the Dodgers’ 4-0 victory over the San Francisco Giants, Ohtani acknowledged that while his pitching remains dominant, he still expects more from himself as a hitter. “First and foremost, the fact that I’m not injured, that’s a good thing,” Ohtani said, via Sportsnet LA. “I do want to contribute more offensively. I haven’t done so this year, so I’m looking forward to doing that.”

The outing lowered Ohtani’s ERA to 0.82 through seven starts, one of the best marks in baseball, while helping Los Angeles snap a four-game losing streak against a Giants team that had entered the series with momentum.

Ohtani continues Cy Young-level dominance for Dodgers

Despite his offensive inconsistency, Ohtani has looked nearly untouchable as a pitcher during the early portion of the season. Against San Francisco, the Dodgers star struck out eight batters, allowed four hits, and leaned heavily on his fastball and sweeper while completing seven scoreless innings.

Ohtani has now completed seven innings in consecutive starts after not surpassing six innings at any point last season while recovering from elbow surgery. The Dodgers have continued managing his workload carefully with a six-man rotation and additional rest days away from the lineup.

Dodgers balancing Ohtani’s workload amid offensive slump

Ohtani didn’t appear in the batting lineup during Wednesday’s start and is also expected to sit out the series finale as the Dodgers attempt to help him reset offensively.

The 31-year-old recently endured a 13-game home run drought and has produced only seven home runs with a .796 OPS so far this season, numbers below the standard he established over the past several years.

Still, Ohtani expressed confidence in his overall condition while emphasizing that he can still impact games through pitching if his bat is not producing consistently. “Ideal situation is to be great on both sides of the ball,” Ohtani said. “But how I look at it is, if I’m not contributing offensively, then I know I can contribute on the pitching side of things.”