Teoscar Hernández was a driving force in the Dodgers lineup in his first year in Los Angeles, in 2024, but last year struggled mightily.
After starting the All-Star Game, winning a Silver Slugger Award, and leading all National League outfielders in home runs (33) and RBI (99) with a 132 wRC+ in his first year with the Dodgers, Hernández in 2025 hit 25 home runs and 102 wRC+.
He missed two weeks in May with a groin strain, and the difference in his numbers before and after the injury were stark:
- .315/.333/.600, 155 wRC+, eight home runs in 33 games prior
- .223/.268/.404, 84 wRC+, 17 home runs in 101 games after
Hernández spoke to reporters Tuesday at Camelback Ranch, and talked about losing 12 pounds this offseason after workouts with a group of players, including Vladimir Guerrero Jr., his old Blue Jays teammate. Hernández admitted the groin injury took a toll, from Dylan Hernández at The California Post:
“I never recovered 100 percent,” he said, adding that he believed his condition affected him both on offense and defense.
Following the World Series, Hernández said he did nothing for two months.
“I knew my body needed rest,” he said.
Hernández played in only 134 games last year after playing in 154 games in his first year with the Dodgers and 160 games in 2023 with the Mariners. Since becoming a regular in 2018 with Toronto, Hernández has played in 86.3 percent of games, averaging 140 games and 134 starts per 162 games over the last eight seasons.
Now, Hernández enters his age-33 season.
Teoscar Hernández 2026 projections
- ZiPS: .266/.318/.485, 28 HR, 121 wRC+
- THE BAT: .263/.314/.469, 25 HR, 116 wRC+
- OOPSY: .258/.313/.472, 29 HR, 116 wRC+
- Steamer: .255/.310/.461, 26 HR, 112 wRC+
- Marcel: .254/.307/.448, 23 HR
- PECOTA: .246/.299/.432, 24 HR, 98 DRC+
He’s playing left field this year now that Kyle Tucker has signed, but let’s throw this out to the group. What do you expect from Teoscar Hernández in 2026? Let us know his batting line, home runs, games played, or any other thing that comes to mind.