Dodgers Preview: Can Teoscar Hernández Anchor Left Field in 2026?

GLENDALE, AZ—The Dodgers outfield as a whole last season, outside of young center fielder Andy Pages, was underwhelming, and a lot of that had to do with the disappointing year from the teams one-year prove it deal with Michael Conforto.

However, this year just like in 2024, left field is expected to be held by veteran outfielder Teoscar Hernández, who is returning to the corner after the team’s signing of top free agent Kyle Tucker.

Still, Hernández is coming off a down season of his own, so what can we really expect in terms of production for 2026?

What Will Year Three Bring for Teoscar in Dodger Blue?

After a fantastic first season in Dodger Blue in 2024, where Teoscar Hernández became a starter in the All-Star Game for the National League, won the Home Run Derby as the first Dodgers player, and achieved a near career-best 132 wRC+, he took a step back last season following his multi-year contract extension to remain in Los Angeles.

Coming into camp this season, Hernández is refreshed, slimmed down, and healthy, admitting that last year’s groin injury, which forced him to miss early parts of the season, never quite fully healed.

The statistics revealed a clear difference before and after the injury: Hernández was among the Dodgers’ top hitters until early May with a 149 wRC+, but his performance dropped significantly after returning from the IL, falling to an 86 wRC+.

The injury did more damage to his defensive numbers, where Hernández ranked among one of the worst right fielders in OAA and DRS, but he hopes a new, slimmed-down body will help translate to better metrics this season.

FanGraphs agrees that we should expect a revamped Teoscar Hernández this season, with a projected slash line of .261/.314/.473, a 117 wRC+, and 2.1 fWAR. However, if his defense decline remains an issue n left field, we will need to see more offensive numbers from him in 2024 to balance his overall production.

Other Options

Due to Teoscar’s age and health issues that he suffered last season, don’t expect to see him out there for all 162 games this upcoming season, especially with the team planning for another deep October run.

The Dodgers have plenty of outfield depth, especially for the corners, including Alex Call, who was acquired via trade last season from the Washington Nationals.

Call, while good with the bat against left-handed pitching, was used many times as a late-inning defensive replacement for Hernández, especially in October, when defense is even more critical.

While Andy Pages is set to be the Dodgers’ full-time center fielder again in 2026, if Tommy Edman can return there as well, we could see Pages play a few innings in left, too.

Further down in the Dodgers pipeline would be Ryan Ward, who was added to the Dodgers ’ 40-man roster in November and had an MVP season with the Triple-A OKC Comets in 2025.

Also down the line, the Dodgers will have the return of fan-favorite Kiké Hernández, who re-signed with the team as camp started last month and is expected to be back mid-season after offseason left elbow surgery.

However, before Ward, we might see outfielder James Tibbs III, who was also acquired at last year’s trade deadline and has been excelling in spring training with an impressive 1.042 OPS and three extra-base hits. 

Also, by the end of the season, fellow top prospects Josue De Paula or Zyhir Hope have good minor league seasons, they could be fast-tracked to the Show.

DodgersBeat Grade: C+

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