While veteran utility player Enrique Hernandez is drawing interest from the Angels among several other clubs, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that the Halls fear Hernandez would prefer to return to the Dodgers, with whom he played from 2015-2020 before the club bought him back . . . he in a trade with the Red Sox at the trade deadline.Hernandez, 32, is versatile enough to play anywhere on the diamond except catcher. Although the veteran struggled in Boston last year, he enjoyed a resurgence after returning to LA with a respectable slash line in 185 plate appearances. If Hernandez can repeat those offensive numbers during theseason,
that roughly league-average offense and his positional versatility make him one of the most valuable bench options in the game. That said, Rosenthal adds that the Dodgers’ focus appears to be elsewhere as they look for a high leverage bullpen to complement the likes of Brusdar Graterol and Evan Phillips.The Dodgers posted a strong ERA last season, third best in the majors behind only the Yankees and Brewers. Regardless, it makes sense for the club to look for auxiliary upgrades. Finally, the club’s production from the bullpen improved dramatically when they acquired veteran righty Ryan Brasier, who posted an outstandingRA in 39 games with LA after being acquired from the Red Sox last June. Before Brasier’s arrival, the Dodgers’ bullpen managed a ERA,
the lowest in the majors when split with two low-A. To that end, Rosenthal suggests the club could try working with Brasier or perhaps even closer Kenley Jansen, who the Red Sox are rumored to be acquiring this winter.More from the NL West…Rosenthal also discusses the Diamondbacks’ recent signing of lefty slugger Joc Pederson. Rosenthal notes that before agreeing to a fourth straight year in free agency, Pederson told Arizona he hoped to “re-establish his value” with the club in 2024 before returning to free agency in search of a multi-year deal.
For Pederson, in Rosenthal’s opinion, that would mean proving that he is more than the team’s DH. The Diamondbacks’ outfield combination is pretty packed, with Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Corbin Carroll as a regular and many prospects like Alek Thomas, Jake McCarthy and even Dominic Fletcher. All of the aforementioned names are stronger defenders in the outfield than Pederson, so the 31-year-old could instead try to increase his stock by playing more regularly against southpaws, against whom he has just
career plate appearances.Recently acquired Giants shortstop Robbie Ray spoke with reporters (including Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle) as he recovers from UCL and flexor tendon surgery.
The 32-year-old southpaw said he feels like he has a “brand new elbow” and that he hopes to throw mounds early in spring training. Regarding a timetable for his return to the big league field, Ray suggests that a return around the All-Star break would be “at best.” Ray, the 2021 AL Cy Young Award winner, had a 3.31 ERA and 3.94 FIP in 65 starts with the Blue Jays and Mariners over the last three seasons, though only one of those starts came in 2023 before Ray went under the knife last May . . His potential return should bolster San Francisco’s rotation, which currently features Logan Webb, Ross Stripling and recently signed right-hander Jordan Hicks along with youngsters Kyle Harrison and Keaton Winn..
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