Dodgers Restore Kiké Hernandez to Lineup for Rockies Series Opener

The Los Angeles Dodgers have reinstated Kiké Hernandez to their starting lineup for Monday’s series opener against the Colorado Rockies, marking his first appearance of the 2026 season. Hernandez, who has been absent from the roster following elbow surgery, is scheduled to play third base and bat ninth in the order. His return concludes a lengthy absence that has seen him miss the entirety of the current campaign.

Los Angeles enters the contest with momentum, having secured a series victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. The Dodgers won the final two games of that series after dropping the opener on Friday, reversing a trend from the previous year where they failed to defeat Milwaukee during the regular season. Managerial staff will look to channel that recent success as the team returns to play.

Emmet Sheehan takes the mound for the Dodgers in the series opener. The right-handed pitcher is seeking to stabilise his performance after a previous start against the San Diego Padres, where he allowed four runs over four innings. That outing contributed to a season ERA of 4.93, and Sheehan will aim to improve upon that result against the Rockies’ batting order.

The Dodgers’ offensive structure features Shohei Ohtani leading off as the designated hitter. Ohtani is looking to build on a productive series against Milwaukee, where he recorded three hits and two RBIs following a difficult start to the month. He is followed in the batting order by shortstop Mookie Betts at second, first baseman Freddie Freeman at third, and centre fielder Andy Pages cleaning up at fourth.

The middle of the lineup includes right fielder Kyle Tucker at fifth, left fielder Teoscar Hernandez at sixth, and catcher Will Smith at seventh. Second baseman Hyeseong Kim bats eighth, with Hernandez rounding out the order at ninth. This configuration places significant pressure on the top of the lineup to generate early scoring opportunities.

On the opposing side, Tanner Gordon makes his first start of the season for the Rockies. Previously utilised as a long relief option, Gordon has thrown 27.1 innings this year and holds a 6.59 ERA. He faced the Dodgers in April, allowing six runs over four innings, and will look to avoid a similar outcome as Los Angeles seeks to extend its winning streak to three games.

First pitch for the matchup is scheduled for 6:10 p.m. PT. The result will determine whether the Dodgers can maintain their recent upward trajectory or if the Rockies can disrupt their rhythm early in the series.