LOS ANGELES — Dodgers manager Dave Roberts rolled out the solar panels and recharged some batteries on Wednesday while putting together his most right-handed lineup of the season.
Against San Francisco Giants left-hander Robbie Ray, Roberts’ lineup had just two left-handed hitters in Freddie Freeman and Kyle Tucker. Right-handed hitters toward the bottom of the order included Miguel Rojas at second base, Alex Call was in left field and Santiago Espinal at third base.
Shohei Ohtani was given the opportunity to focus only on pitching for the night as he vacated the leadoff spot, while another big left-handed bat in Max Muncy opened the game on the bench. It was the fourth time Ohtani has been used as just the pitcher this season.
The new look even gave outfielder Teoscar Hernandez the chance to slide into the designated hitter spot for the first time in three seasons with the Dodgers. He was the DH 62 times when he played in the American League.
“It’s different for me, I’m not used to it, but as I always say, I’m gonna try to do my best in any way that the team needs me,” said Hernandez, who has not been DH in a game since 2023 with the Seattle Mariners. “Try to stay warm, try to stay ready for when your at-bat comes in the game, and just be prepared for any situation.”
Seeing the game in a different way might not be the worst thing for Hernandez, as he works toward getting his season on track. Hernandez entered Wednesday’s game batting .214 with a .688 OPS, four home runs and 17 RBIs.
Hernandez has not batted under .240 in a full season since 2019 and has never ended a full year with an OPS lower than .724. He was on pace for 15 home runs entering Wednesday’s game, which would be his lowest in a non-COVID season since 2018.
Roberts gave Hernandez a fresh look in the first two games of the series by hitting him in the No. 8 spot for the first time this season. He had two hits on Monday but went 0 for 4 on Tuesday. He was back to batting sixth Wednesday.
“I think we are at our best if Teo’s up a little bit higher,” Roberts said. “But I also feel that you’ve got to earn that right to get in certain parts of the order. I know he’s been working on some mechanical things and some approach things, so that’s good, and he’s a guy that we need to be good.”
Hernandez can see progress with the work he has done.
“I’m feeling pretty good,” he said. “I’m hitting the ball hard but not in the air the way I want it. But that’s going to turn out soon.
“It’s just timing. You first get the timing right as you continue to hit the ball hard.”
For Muncy, Wednesday will be his only planned off day during a stretch of 13 consecutive games that started Friday and will run through next Wednesday in San Diego.
The right-handed hitting Alex Call made just nis ninth start of the season, playing in left field in place of Hernandez. Roberts said getting Hernandez a little time off his feet was the inspiration for the lineup and not the defensive outfield alignment that included the speedy Call.
“You know, Teo’s actually played some good left field, but I think that yeah, you (do) get a good defender in Alex Call in there,” Roberts said.
HEY, HEY, HEYWARD
Jason Heyward was hired as a special assistant in the front office. He will work with players and coaches at the team’s minor league affiliates.
Heyward, 36, retired after playing 34 games with the San Diego Padres last season. He played in 187 games with the Dodgers between 2023-24 when he was on the tail end of a career that spanned 16 seasons.
Heyward, who is a close friend with Freeman from their days in the Atlanta Braves’ organization, was watching batting practice Wednesday with coaches and front office members.
“I’m excited for Jason to be back in the organization,” Roberts said. “… (He is) getting to see the other side of things and how it operates and he’s going to be very helpful for his growth and also for the organization. Good to have him.”
According to an ESPN report, Heyward also talked to the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox about a role in their organizations before signing on with the Dodgers.
Heyward played seven seasons with the Cubs and was a member of the team’s 2016 curse-busting World Series championship team. He also is the owner of a baseball academy in Chicago.
SOUND THE TRUMPETS
Right-hander Edwin Diaz, who underwent arthroscopic surgery last month to remove loose bodies from his right elbow, already is reporting significant progress three weeks removed from the procedure.
“He says that his extension is much better than it’s been in quite some time, feels better than it did pre-surgery, and then now you just got to kind of build up,” Roberts said. So he’s very optimistic.”
There continues to be no specific timetable for a return other than at some point after the All-Star break.
Diaz, who has 257 saves in 10 seasons, signed a three-year, $69 million deal this past offseason.
UP NEXT
Giants (RHP Landen Roupp, 5-3, 3.09 ERA) at Dodgers (RHP Emmet Sheehan, 2-1, 4.79), Thursday, 7:10 p.m., SportsNet LA, 570 AM, 1020 AM