In a decisive 8-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card series, the Los Angeles Dodgers showcased their offensive firepower, but the night ended on a sour note with injuries to key utility players Enrique "Kiké" Hernández and Tommy Edman. The Dodgers, riding high after a dominant regular season, jumped out early against Reds starter Hunter Greene, who surrendered three home runs in quick succession. Shohei Ohtani led off with a solo shot, followed by back-to-back blasts from Teoscar Hernández and Edman, putting the game out of reach by the third inning. It was a reminder of the Dodgers' relentless lineup, one that powered them to 98 wins this year.
Yet, the celebrations were tempered almost immediately. Hernández, who had been a steady presence in the infield and outfield all season, was pulled in the seventh after pinch-hitter Miguel Rojas replaced him at second base. Manager Dave Roberts later confirmed it was due to back tightness, a nagging issue that has dogged the 33-year-old veteran before. Hernández, re-signed to a one-year, $4 million deal in February, had started 112 games across multiple positions, batting .248 with 12 homers. His versatility has been crucial, but now, with the playoffs heating up, this flare-up feels particularly untimely. Indeed, Roberts expressed cautious optimism, saying Hernández could return for Game 2 if he responds well to treatment overnight.
Edman, acquired in a trade last year and fresh off his own ankle woes earlier in the season, lasted only five innings in center field before being lifted. The 30-year-old, who hit .248 with nine homers and stole 19 bases, twisted his ankle sliding into second on a double. It was the same right ankle that sidelined him for weeks in August, forcing the Dodgers to shuffle their roster yet again. Roberts downplayed the severity postgame, noting Edman walked off under his own power and iced the area immediately. Still, in a short series where every at-bat counts, losing two multi-positional threats exposes vulnerabilities in a team already thin on bench depth.
Moreover, these injuries come at a moment when the Dodgers' vaunted rotation is set to take the mound in Game 2, with Yoshinobu Yamamoto facing off against Andrew Abbott. The team has leaned on Hernández's glove work and Edman's speed all year, contributions that helped secure the No. 2 seed in the NL. However, if either misses time, it could force uncomfortable lineup tweaks, perhaps elevating less experienced options like Austin Barnes or Michael Conforto. The Dodgers' medical staff will have updates by morning, but for now, the focus shifts to maintaining momentum without their utility backbone.
As the series progresses into uncharted territory, one wonders how resilient this Dodgers squad truly is when the stars align against them.