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MLB MLB Spring Training The Dodgers have acquired Kiké Hernández via free agency or trade five previous times. Luke Hales / Getty Images The Los Angeles Dodgers and Kiké Hernández are reuniting once again, as the veteran utility man and the two-time reigning World Series champions have agreed to on a one-year, $4. 5 million contract, a league source told The Athletic on Thursday. The continuation of the longstanding partnership between the two parties was expected. As he made the rounds this offseason during the Dodgers’ victory tour, Hernández frequently expressed a desire to remain with Los Angeles. Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said during December’s Winter Meetings that “we’ll never shut the door on Kiké, ” echoing a sentiment from previous years. Advertisement The 34-year-old Hernández underwent offseason surgery on his left (non-throwing) elbow, and told AM 570 in December that he didn’t anticipate being ready for Opening Day. The Dodgers have officially acquired Hernández via trade or free agency five previous times. Once healthy, Hernández will likely fill the role he always has for the Dodgers, effectively serving as a sealant to other parts of the roster with his versatility and with most of his starts likely against right-handed pitching. His regular-season offensive production once again declined in 2025, as he produced a career-worst . 621 OPS in 256 plate appearances. A significant part of his struggles, however, can be attributed to playing through discomfort in his left elbow. The fan favorite’s biggest role came, once again, in October, authoring some heroics. Most notably, Hernández was in left field during Game 6 of the World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays, charging in on an Andrés Giménez liner to make a catch and, in one motion, throw to Miguel Rojas at second base to complete a game-ending double play and force Game 7 with a 3-1 win. It marked the first time in 50 years — since Game 5 of the 1972 World Series — that a potential World Series clincher ended on a double play with the tying run already on base. That was one of several indelible moments that have endeared Hernández to Dodgers fans, elevating his status to one of the more revered faces in the franchise’s golden era. With his tenure extended, he’ll have a chance to add more to the list. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle Fabian Ardaya is a staff writer covering the Los Angeles Dodgers for The Athletic. He previously spent three seasons covering the crosstown Los Angeles Angels for The Athletic. He graduated from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication in May 2017 after growing up in a Phoenix-area suburb. Follow Fabian on Twitter @Fabian Ardaya