There is a player who is compared to U.S. ace Tarik Skubal (Detroit Tigers), who left the World Baseball Classic (WBC) after pitching in just one game. Despite being unable to play because he is rehabbing an injury, he left his club's camp again for his country. The player is utility infielder Kiké Hernández (34·Los Angeles Dodgers).
The U.S. publication California Post reported on the 13th (Korean time) that Hernández left the Dodgers' spring training camp to rejoin the Puerto Rico national team. Hernández, who last week received permission from the club to visit his hometown San Juan, Puerto Rico, where the first round was held, left again as soon as he returned to the Dodgers' camp. Puerto Rico finished second in Group A to advance from the first round, and Hernández will rejoin the national team by going to Houston, Texas, where the eight-team tournament will be held.
Hernández, who played in the WBC in 2017 and 2023, is not currently an active member of the Puerto Rico national team. He is rehabbing after having surgery on his left elbow last winter and is on the 60-day injured list, making it unavoidable that he will miss the start of the season. Although he cannot play right now, he is making the inconvenient trips to be with and cheer for his teammates. Within a week he traveled from Glendale, Arizona, where the Dodgers' camp is set up, to San Juan, Puerto Rico, back to Glendale, and then on to Houston.
Puerto Rico pulled off a dramatic come-from-behind victory on the 8th against Panama when Darrel Ernie's two-run walk-off homer in the 10th inning produced the win. Among the Puerto Rico players who rushed to the home plate to greet Ernie was Hernández wearing his helmet backwards. He recalled, "I will never forget the moment we won and 18,000 fans sang a meaningful song for our island," and added, "It wasn't a World Series walk-off homer, but it was one of the great moments I will remember for the rest of my life."
After that game, Hernández wrote on social media in Spanish, "I've been to the World Series five times, but maybe because of the inscription I carry in my heart, the Classic feels greater than that," emphasizing the meaning of the WBC. Hernández, who experienced World Series championships with the Dodgers in 2020 and from 2024 to 2025 three times, felt the WBC was special for these reasons.
"In the major leagues you don't always get to choose the team you play for. Sometimes it's beyond your control. But the national team is different. You play with childhood friends you grew up with, and people from your hometown cheer for you. For those of us from a small island nation, what we can do while this tournament is underway has meaning that is much bigger than baseball. You don't always get this feeling in the major leagues."
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman also respected Hernández's distinctive patriotism, who, following Puerto Rico tradition, dyed his hair white. After the walk-off win over Panama, Friedman coolly approved Hernández's request to rejoin the team when Hernández texted him for permission. Hernández said, "Friedman also knows how much the WBC means to me. It must have been an emotional text, but Friedman said, 'Seeing that game made it pretty easy to grant permission.'"
Puerto Rico will play Italy, the first-place team from Group B, in the round of eight on the 15th. If they win there, they advance to the semifinals. The semifinals and final will be held in Miami, Florida. Regarding whether he will stay with the team through the end, Hernández said, "I haven't talked about that with Friedman yet. I only got permission to go to Houston. If we win in Houston, I might send another text. I'll decide day by day based on the situation."
Hernández, who is doing tee batting and rehabbing with the Puerto Rico national team, is serving as a spiritual anchor and acting as the 'cheer captain' with his characteristic energy, giving advice to younger players. Hernández said, "I need to be with the team for the less experienced players. It's disappointing that I can't play, but I'll give everything I can, whether they need advice or cheering for the Italy game. I'll be there for anything."
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