OKLAHOMA CITY, OK—With the calendar of the 2026 Major League Baseball regular season now turning to May, the Los Angeles Dodgers are expected to have several players back this month.
One of those players, right-handed pitcher Brock Stewart, has already rejoined the team in Houston as he’s checked off all the boxes for his minor league rehab assignment and could be activated as soon as today.
However, on the position player side, we have our right significant update with fan-favorite veteran utilityman Kiké Hernández set to begin his own rehab assignment tonight with the Oklahoma City Comets.
The move was expected after Dodgers manager Dave Roberts pregame comments before Game One against the Houston Astros on Monday, as he confirmed Hernández would start a rehab assignment as soon as today.
“He’s starting a rehab assignment this week… could be as soon as tomorrow.”
Now the move is all but official, according to Alex Freedman, as Hernández will kick off the assignment tonight, playing third base and batting second.
Hernández missed nealry half the season with left elbow trouble, underwent successful surgery in November after the conclusion of the Fall Classic and was placed on the Dodgers’ 60-day injured list after re-signing with the team in February.
The veteran right-handed bat is not eligible to be activated off the 60-day IL until May 24th, which will give him nealry a full month of minor league playing time before rejoining the Dodgers.
Mookie Betts Nearing Rehab Assignment
Another player who could soon join Hernández on a rehab assignment soon is All-Star shortstop Mookie Betts, who is going to take live batting practice this Thursday, according to Dave Roberts.
Betts, who started off last season slowly due to an illness just as the team departed for Tokyo, Japan, had this year derailed in Washington, D.C., leaving the middle game with an oblique issue.
After an MRI revealed a right oblique strain, Betts was placed on the 10-day injured list, and fan-favorite Hyeseong Kim was recalled from Triple-A to take his place.
Betts’ 2026 season barely got started before it stalled. He played just eight games, hitting .179 with two homers and a .710 OPS. In his absence, the Dodgers have patched things together: Hyesong Kim has taken most of the work at shortstop, with veteran Miguel Rojas rotating in based on matchups.
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