Hernández (hamstring) homers in rehab game

Tommy Edman gets the nod in left field in his place. Hernández has gone 2-for-8 with an RBI in a pair of games since returning from the injured list earlier this week. The 33-year-old veteran slugger will likely need to produce in the next few months to keep his spot with Los Angeles moving forward since they have a couple talented outfield prospects nearing the majors including phenom Josue De Paula and on-base machine Mike Sirota. They also have James Tibbs III tearing the cover off the ball at Triple-A.

Hernández returns to Los Angeles’ lineup following a nearly five-week absence recovering from a hamstring strain. He’s back in left field and hitting fifth against the Athletics on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. The 33-year-old veteran slugger homered in three of his four minor league rehab contests for Triple-A Oklahoma City. He’s cobbled together a pedestrian year at the dish by his typical standards, slashing .276/.348/.436 with seven homers, 31 RBI and two steals in 204 plate appearances through 51 games. However, his return adds some much-needed over-the-fence pop for the Dodgers as they approach the All-Star break.

Ward heads back to the minors with veteran slugger Teoscar Hernández returning from the injured list for Monday’s series opener against the Athletics. The 28-year-old has hit .218 (12-for-55) with three homers and 12 RBI across 60 plate appearances in 20 games this season, his first real opportunity after years dominating the Pacific Coast League. He’s earned a real shot in the majors, but there simply isn’t room for him given Los Angeles’ overabundance of corner outfield depth. It would make sense if he were shipped elsewhere at the upcoming trade deadline.

The plan appears to be for him to get regular days off initially. There was some thought of Hernández returning this weekend, but the Dodgers will hold off until the series in Sacramento. Ryan Ward figures to lose his spot when Hernández is activated, and Tommy Edman will begin playing more second base at Alex Freeland’s expense.

The probability feels extremely high that Hernández will be activated from the injured list at some point this weekend or early next week. The 33-year-old veteran slugger went deep for the third consecutive rehab contest on Friday evening while playing six innings in left field. The original expectation was that he would be ready for Monday’s series opener against the Athletics, but he could potentially make it back for the final two games of their current series against the division-rival Padres.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters they’re optimistic Hernández will be ready for their series opener against the Athletics on June 29. The 33-year-old veteran slugger will get a few rehab contests under his belt before returning. He’s been on the shelf recovering from a low-grade hamstring strain since late May.

The 33-year-old slugger made it through a live batting practice session on Thursday without any issues and is creeping closer to a return. He has been shelved since May 30 due to a Grade 1 hamstring strain.

The outfielder has been sidelined since May 28th with a hamstring strain. If his live batting practice goes well, he should begin a short rehab stint next week. That means that Ryan Ward may only have a little more than one week as a starting outfielder for the Dodgers.

Hernández has been working his way back from a Grade 1 hamstring strain that sent him to the injured list back on May 30. There’s a chance he’s ready to return to game action later this week, which would put him on track to return to Los Angeles by the end of June.

Ward’s round-tripper came off Carmen Mlodzinski, handing Los Angeles a 6-1 lead the bullpen would later surrender. He has started in left field against seven of nine right-handers since being recalled from Triple-A. Ward has sat against three lefties, however, as he is currently in a strict platoon with Alex Call.