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Veteran utility player Kiké Hernández, who is set to become a free agent this offseason, took to Instagram to reflect on his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers after their 2026 campaign concluded with a four-game loss to the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Championship Series. The defeat dashed the team's hopes for a third consecutive World Series title.
Hernández, who has played 10 of his 13 Major League seasons with the Dodgers, wrote: "LA; we fell short of our big goal. But looking at the big picture, what a ride these last three years were!! If this is it for us. Once again, I will always be thankful for you guys & I will forever love ya! #JustAKidFromPR"
Injuries limited Hernández to 41 regular-season games in 2026, during which he hit four home runs, drove in 12 runs, and posted a .671 OPS. Despite the reduced role, he remains a cherished figure among Dodgers fans.
Hernández's Dodgers Legacy
Hernández originally joined the Dodgers after his first MLB season, which he split between the Houston Astros and Miami Marlins. He remained with Los Angeles until 2020, winning his first World Series title, before departing for the Boston Red Sox. He played for Boston until 2023, when he was traded back to the Dodgers.
Over parts of 10 seasons in Los Angeles, Hernández has accumulated 99 regular-season home runs, 332 RBIs, and a .712 OPS, while capturing three World Series championships. His most significant impact has come in the postseason, where he holds the Dodgers franchise record with 98 appearances. In those games, he has hit 12 home runs, driven in 35 runs, and recorded a .721 OPS.
Will the Dodgers Re-Sign Hernández?
Hernández's future with the Dodgers is uncertain. He recorded -0.1 bWAR in 2026, and the team may consider roster changes after a disappointing postseason. However, the Dodgers have consistently valued Hernández, and the player himself has expressed a strong desire to return to Chavez Ravine.
"Every time I look at my career, I kind of obviously go back to this place. I've been here the longest. I hope I come back," Hernández said in the clubhouse. "I feel like I have a lot left this year. I thought it was gonna be a good year for me on the personal side. I thought that once my surgery healed, I'd finally be healthy and able to play. And then, of course, s happened. But yeah, I would love to be back. I would love to have one more try, trying to win another one. But like you said, I don't really know what's gonna happen. I hope I'm back."
Regardless of whether he re-signs with the Dodgers, Hernández will be remembered as a three-time World Champion and a key contributor to the franchise's recent golden era.
Originally reported by yahoo.