Kiké Hernández Re-Signs With Dodgers
Kiké Hernández Dodgers contract February 2026
Fan-favorite utility man Kiké Hernández officially announced his return to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday, February 12, 2026, putting an end to one of the most anticipated sagas of the MLB offseason. Taking to Instagram, Hernández shared a photo from the team’s recent World Series parade with the caption: “What else did you expect?!!! 3 in a row has a nice ring to it! #WeBack.” According to reports from The Athletic, the agreement is a one-year, $4.5 million contract. This marks the third consecutive offseason that the 34-year-old has re-signed with the club, reinforcing his status as a cornerstone of the Dodgers’ clubhouse culture and a postseason specialist.
The move comes just as pitchers and catchers have begun reporting for Spring Training, a timing that mirrors his previous late-offseason signings. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers are expected to place recently re-signed reliever Evan Phillips or Hernández himself on the 60-day injured list. Hernández is currently recovering from offseason surgery on his left elbow—specifically an extensor repair—to address an injury he played through during the 2025 campaign. As a result of the procedure, he is expected to miss the 2026 World Baseball Classic and potentially the first two months of the regular season, with a projected return date sometime in May or June.
Despite a challenging 2025 regular season where he slashed .203/.255/.366 with 10 home runs in 93 games, Hernández’s value remains high in Los Angeles due to his defensive versatility and October heroics. He played in every game of the Dodgers’ 2025 World Series run, primarily serving in left field while the team managed injuries and slumps elsewhere in the lineup. His return was a vocal priority for teammates like Miguel Rojas, who recently compared Hernández’s importance to the team to that of Scottie Pippen to Michael Jordan, noting that his veteran wisdom and energy are essential for a team eyeing a “three-peat” in 2026.
With the addition of Hernández, the Dodgers’ roster appears nearly complete following a massive winter that included the record-setting signing of outfielder Kyle Tucker. Hernández will likely serve in his familiar “super-utility” role once healthy, providing depth behind Max Muncy at third base and offering a defensively minded alternative in the outfield. As the Dodgers prepare for their title defense, the retention of “Banana Man” ensures that the core of their back-to-back championship squads remains intact for another run at history.
