Dodgers News: Teoscar Hernández Staying Put as Dodgers Weigh Trades for Bobby Miller, Ryan Ward

LOS ANGELES, CA—While the Los Angeles Dodgers have not officially announced the signing of four-time All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker, the team is beginning to look at ways to trim the 40-man roster before the start of spring training next month.

MLB insider Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that the Dodgers intend to retain outfielder Teoscar Hernández, who remains under team control for the next two seasons following his 3-year, $66 million contract signed last winter. Instead, they plan to trade career minor leaguer Ryan Ward, who was added to the 40-man roster in November, along with right-hander Bobby Miller. 

As reported previously, Hernández’s name has surfaced in trade conversations. The Dodgers, however, are more likely to explore deals for outfielder Ryan Ward, a career minor leaguer who last season was MVP of the Pacific Coast League at 27, or right-hander Bobby Miller, who has been a disappointment.

As it stands right now, the Dodgers’ 40-man roster is maxed out, and for them to make the Tucker move official, they’ll have to make a corresponding move, which could be a simple DFA on the roster.

Nevertheless, following the Dodgers’ signing of Tucker and closer Edwin Díaz, and because they have exceeded the luxury tax for the third consecutive season, the team will lose additional draft picks in the upcoming 2026 MLB Draft in July.

Since the Dodgers traded their second and fifth-highest picks to sign Díaz, their penalty for acquiring Tucker will be forfeiting their third and sixth-round picks this July.

As a result, President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman and General Manager Brandon Gomes might consider trading various surplus players from the roster for more minor league depth, similar to their strategies in the Gavin Lux and Michael Busch trades over the past two seasons.

Ward, 27, was recently added to the Dodgers’ 40-man roster, likely to prevent losing him in minor league free agency.

Ward was named the Pacific Coast League (PCL) MVP after hitting .290/.380/.557 with 36 home runs and 122 RBIs for the Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets. He was the second player from OKC to win the PCL MVP award, following former Dodgers prospect Michael Busch in 2023.

Although he had a strong minor league career and a breakout 2025 season, the Dodgers never considered promoting him because of various factors, including his below-average defensive metrics.

Before the Tucker signing, it appeared that Ward would get an opportunity to become the Dodgers’ everyday left fielder, but now that doesn’t seem to be a feasible option.

As for Bobby Miller, the former 2023 rotation standout has taken several steps back over the last two seasons.

In 2025, Miller’s performance while pitching in the Triple-A Oklahoma City rotation was disappointing. He recorded a 5.63 ERA over more than 70 innings, with 49 walks and 58 strikeouts. His walk rate of 15.2 percent as a starter in Triple-A was nearly twice his career averages in both the majors (8.1 percent) and minors (8.3 percent through 2024).

By the end of July, the Dodgers determined that Miller’s performance as a starter was no longer satisfactory and transitioned him to the bullpen, where he spent the rest of the season.

Miller’s performance was mixed. Over 19 games, he pitched 21 1/3 innings, posting a 0-3 record and a 5.91 ERA. He recorded 26 strikeouts and 12 walks. During his relief appearances in the minors, his FIP was 3.97, and his WHIP was 1.31.

Teoscar Hernández Trade Unlikely

While Hernández’s name has been mentioned in trade conversations this winter, going as far as a connection to the Kansas City Royals, it appears the Dodgers will likely hold on to the power-hitting outfielder.

While the team considered moving Hernández to left field all last season due to his defensive struggles in right, that never came to fruition. Now, with the signing of Kyle Tucker, it looks like what the team will do moving forward.

Fresh off their stunning signing of free-agent right fielder Kyle Tucker, the Los Angeles Dodgers are expected to keep Teoscar Hernández and move him to left field.

Hernández concluded a demanding 2025 season with a batting line of .247/.284/.454 and a 102 wRC+. He posted impressive counting stats and power numbers, such as 29 doubles, 25 home runs, and 89 RBIs across 134 games. However, he struggled with consistency and did not maintain a high on-base percentage.

Hernández’s -9 OAA was one of the worst in the spot, and although the team can’t hide those defensive issues on the left, there’s hope he can regain his 2024 form.

Hernández has more than two years remaining on his contract, with over $46 million still owed, excluding deferred salary. His deal with the Dodgers includes a $23 million signing bonus, $23.5 million in deferred payments, and a team option for 2028 at $15 million, or a $6.5 million buyout.

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