BREAKING — Kiké Hernández opened up about a painful truth that defined his 2025 season and changed his plans for 2026.
Kiké Hernández, the charismatic utility star beloved across Puerto Rico and Los Angeles, revealed that he played through a significant left elbow injury for much of the 2025 season — a decision that ultimately led to surgery and will now force him to miss next year’s World Baseball Classic. The announcement, shared through a candid Instagram post, has sent ripples through the baseball world.
Hernández wrote that the discomfort in his elbow began escalating early in the summer, becoming impossible to ignore by July. On July 7, the Dodgers placed him on the injured list with what was then described simply as left elbow inflammation. But behind the scenes, the situation was far more serious. According to Hernández, he had been “playing hurt for about a month,” relying on adrenaline, grit, and the hope that rest days would be enough to get him through the season.
He returned on August 26, but something was clearly off. His trademark explosiveness, versatility, and effortless arm strength were compromised. Limited to just 93 games, Hernández fought to contribute, but his body refused to cooperate. Eventually, doctors determined that offseason surgery was unavoidable.
For Hernández, though, the toughest part wasn’t the procedure — it was what the surgery cost him.
His absence from the World Baseball Classic is a devastating blow for Puerto Rico, a country where baseball is not just sport but identity. Hernández has long been a central figure for the national team — a spark plug, a leader, and a symbol of pride. Missing the tournament isn’t a simple scheduling change; it’s a heartbreak.
In his announcement, Hernández expressed deep disappointment, emphasizing how much representing Puerto Rico means to him. The WBC offers players a rare chance to compete not for contracts or careers, but for heritage. For many athletes, those moments rank among the most powerful in their lives. Losing that opportunity stings as much as the injury itself.
For the Dodgers, the update offers clarity. Hernández’s diminished performance in 2025 suddenly makes sense in retrospect. His struggle wasn’t rust or regression — it was resilience. Playing through pain is often romanticized in baseball, but the reality is far more complex. Hernández wasn’t hiding weakness; he was trying to help his team win.
His surgery marks a turning point. The focus now shifts to recovery, rest, and what the 2026 season could hold. At 34, he remains one of baseball’s most adaptable and respected veterans. His ability to handle multiple positions, deliver clutch moments, and energize a clubhouse makes him valuable even beyond the box score.
But first, he needs time — and patience.
The WBC will move forward without him, but Puerto Rico will feel his absence deeply. Hernández’s leadership and passion have defined their roster for years. Still, if his announcement proves anything, it’s that his fire remains. The road back begins now, and few doubt he’ll return with the same trademark energy.
For players like Hernández, setbacks aren’t endings. They’re pauses — and this one might just set the stage for a memorable comeback.
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