Dave Roberts giving Teoscar Hernandez extended opportunities to rebound

""I think he's missing pitches that he should hit, whether it's fastballs or spin," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Hernández's offensive woes. "I think sometimes he's patient at the wrong time. I think he's working through his mechanics, the hitting guys and he are really trying to work through diligently. "He hasn't been successful; he hasn't really hit left-hand pitching in quite some time, which is kind of a surprise for me. But I just think for me, he's working hard, he's playing very good defense out there in left field, and I want him in the lineup.""

""I want to give him the opportunity, as he's earned, to continue to work through things. But I think with most players, it's a combo of the mechanics, it's the approach, it's a combo right now. But I just don't really have a clear answer on kind of what's going on.""

""I don't know," Roberts answered when asked if Hernández will continue batting eighth for the Dodgers. "I just feel there's been enough of a sample for all the guys that I think earning your place in the order matters too. And I think that Andy's earned it, I think Max has earned it, and the other guys before. "It's not a knock on anyone; it's just that's the way it should be. And so I do know that when I can pencil Teo in the five or six hole, and we all feel good about that, we're better for it. I do know that.""

Teoscar Hernández returned to the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup after sitting out a game due to season-long struggles at the plate. He has produced a .248/.329/.380 line with five doubles, four home runs, and 17 RBI across 36 games. He had some success in the series opener against the San Francisco Giants, going 2-for-3 with a double and a walk. The manager said Hernández is missing pitches he should hit and sometimes is patient at the wrong time, while working on mechanics and approach. The manager noted Hernández has not been successful against left-handed pitching recently but emphasized his strong defense in left field and the need to keep him in the lineup to work through issues. The manager also addressed batting order decisions, saying lineup placement should reflect earned performance and that the team is better when Hernández bats in the five or six hole.

Read at Dodger Blue