MLB: Cleveland Guardians at Los Angeles Dodgers

Sep 6, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Teoscar Hernandez (37) grimaces as he walks through the dugout when he left the game after being hit by a pitch in the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernandez Reveals What It’ll Take to Defend Home Run Derby Title

When Teoscar Hernandez signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers as a free agent last season, he wasn’t exactly a household name with those who bleed Dodger Blue.

By the end of the year, he became an indispensable member of the team, a World Series hero, one of the most popular players on the roster, and the 2024 Home Run Derby champion.

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During the regular season, Hernandez clubbed 33 home runs en route to an excellent inaugural season. The derby field included some big boppers in Hernandez, Bobby Witt Jr., Adolis Garcia, Pete Alonso, Gunnar Henderson, Jose Ramirez, Marcell Ozuna, and Alec Bohm.

Hernandez narrowly made the top-four with 19 home runs (the lowest of any semifinalist). He then bested Bohm by one homer to make the finals, going head-to-head with superstar Witt Jr.

With a flair for the dramatics, Hernandez outlasted Witt Jr. by one homer to take the derby crown. Many are wondering if Hernandez will reenter the field in 2025.

In an interview with teammates Mookie Betts for his Bleacher Report show, Hernandez revealed what it will take to do the Home Run Derby again.

“Maybe I’m gonna do it again. Maybe. If I’m an All-Star, maybe. I’m not gonna go over there just for the (Home Run Derby).”

Two months before this year’s regular season began, Hernandez said the same thing with the Foul Territory crew.

Being in his apex prime, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Hernandez become an All-Star within the National League in 2025. If he’s not, surely he’ll garner an invite to the derby as the defending champ. From there, he may have to revisit his initial stance and see if the allure of performing in the fun event is something he ultimately can’t pass up.

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Dodgers RF Teoscar Hernandez (illness) out consecutive games

Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Teoscar Hernandez will miss his second consecutive game Tuesday because of a stomach virus.

Hernandez is the third Dodgers player to miss games this season because of a stomach virus — joining Mookie Betts and Enrique Hernandez.

Teoscar Hernandez, 32, is batting .281 with five home runs and 16 RBIs in 17 games this season. He hit 33 home runs with 99 RBIs in his first season in Los Angeles in 2024 and helped the team win the World Series.

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Andy Pages was in right field for Hernandez both Monday and Tuesday.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts also revealed Tuesday that right-hander Bobby Miller will get his first start of the season in Wednesday’s series finale against the Colorado Rockies.

Miller, 26, struggled last season when he went 2-4 with an 8.52 ERA in 13 starts as he dealt with a shoulder injury before he was sent to Triple-A Oklahoma City. In spring training this year, he was hit in the head by a line drive and placed in concussion protocol that delayed his preparation for the season.

Miller owns a 2.25 ERA in three appearances (two starts) at Oklahoma City this season. He has struck out 11 and walked 11 over 12 innings.

–Field Level Media