Dodgers’ Dave Roberts thrilled to have Kiké Hernandez, Evan Phillips back

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — They really are putting the band back together.

One day after re-signing relief pitcher Evan Phillips to a one-year, $6.5 million contract, the Dodgers brought back another three-time World Series champion, signing utility man Kiké Hernandez to a one-year, $4.5 million contract. At the same time, they made sure the longest-tenured player on the roster (in continuous service) will be around a little longer, agreeing to a contract extension with third baseman Max Muncy that could keep him with the team through the 2028 season.

Phillips is recovering from Tommy John surgery last June and went on the 60-day injured list on Thursday, clearing a roster spot for Hernandez – who is also recovering from elbow surgery. Neither player is likely to play before midseason but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said there is value in having both back.

“It’s great,” Roberts said Thursday. “Kiké was excited going through his physical today. Evan is in his throwing program.

“I think it was something that we were optimistic that we were going to get them both done at some point. There was a little trying to make sure how it fits on the roster and all that stuff. But really good. Evan, he missed out last year. Kiké, I didn’t appreciate what he was going through last year, as far as the severity of his injury. But to play through it and not complain was pretty amazing. Excited to get them both back.”

The Dodgers exercised a $10 million club option in his previous contract to bring Muncy back for 2026. His new contract guarantees him $10 million more – a $7 million salary in 2027 with a $3 million buyout if the Dodgers do not exercise another club option for $10 million in 2028.

The latest signings take the Dodgers’ payroll for 2026 just over $400 million.

Phillips has missed out on pitching in the Dodgers’ back-to-back World Series due to injuries. He missed the 2024 series against the New York Yankees with a shoulder injury, recovered for 2025 but made just seven appearances last season before undergoing Tommy John surgery. The Dodgers did not offer him a contract before the deadline for arbitration-eligible players, making him a non-tendered free agent before bringing him back this week.

Hernandez suffered an elbow injury on a slide at home plate on May 28. He played through the injury until going on the IL in July then returned for the stretch run and the postseason. He had surgery following the season.

Hernandez, 34, became a free agent after last fall’s World Series but was always expected back with the Dodgers. The signing was delayed in order to free up a roster spot during the offseason.

“Kiké has done this before, as far as having to wait until things sort of settle to then finally come to a finalization that he can sign back with us,” Roberts said. “I think Evan wanted to kind of see what was out there, which I respect. He earned that right. But ultimately, to kind of circle back, you have both guys that had an opportunity, but it’s more powerful for them to ultimately land with us. It’s the place they chose to be.”

Roberts said he wasn’t aware of a specific timeline for Phillips or Hernandez to return to the active roster. Hernandez and right-hander Brock Stewart (shoulder surgery in September) could join Phillips on the 60-day IL to start the season, freeing up roster spots for other moves.

In other moves Wednesday, left-hander Anthony Banda was traded to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for international bonus pool money. Banda was designated for assignment last week when the Dodgers claimed catcher Ben Rortvedt on waivers from the Cincinnati Reds. Rortvedt has since been DFA’d for the second time this offseason.

The Twins will be Banda’s ninth major-league team.

The Dodgers also signed infielder Keston Hiura to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training. The Milwaukee Brewers’ first-round draft pick out of UC Irvine in 2017, Hiura was once one of the top-rated prospects in baseball. He reached the majors in 2019 and hit .303 in 84 games with the Brewers, but he has never been able to establish himself in the big leagues. He led the National League in strikeouts (85) and errors by a second baseman (16) while batting just .212 during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.

Hiura has bounced from the Brewers to the Angels, Detroit Tigers and Colorado Rockies in the past three seasons.

Pitchers and catchers will hold their first spring workout on Friday. The full squad reports Monday.