Kiké soaking in the chance to represent Puerto Rico on global stage

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The ball soared over the fence. Hiram Bithorn Stadium erupted in revelry. Darell Hernaiz skipped around the bases, the ballpark lights strobing overhead, as his teammates waited to receive him at home plate. And the Puerto Rican fans sang along to "Preciosa," swelling with pride and love for their countrymen.

Soaking it all in down on the field was Kiké Hernández, who was among the sea of bleached-blond players who mobbed Hernaiz after he walked off Panama in Puerto Rico’s 4-3, 10-inning win in World Baseball Classic pool play last Saturday.

Hernández played for Team Rubio in 2017 and '23, but he has long known that he couldn't take part in this year's Classic. He dealt with a left elbow injury for much of last season and had it surgically repaired during the offseason, ruling him out for about the first two months of the Major League season.

Even though he can't play, Hernández has cherished the opportunity to wear the name of his home island across his chest once more. He joined Puerto Rico for part of Pool A play in San Juan, and he'll be on hand for Saturday's quarterfinal against Italy in Houston. While it's an experience he wouldn't miss out on for the world, he admitted that being unable to fully participate has been difficult.

"You show up, you wear the uniform, you go out there for the anthem and you look around -- you can't do it," Hernández said. "It was really cool, but it was also really hard. … It was tough being there, but I'll be there again in Houston, cheering them against Italy and providing whatever it is I need to provide as far as guidance or cheerleading, whatever it is."

Because Hernández is on the 60-day injured list and still has a ways to go until he's fully healthy, the Dodgers have no reservations about him leaving camp to be with Puerto Rico.

"In all honesty, to take a handful of days away from being here, this grind, it's not a whole lot of downside," manager Dave Roberts said. "It's going to be a longer road for him to not be able to participate, so to get a little bit of reprieve and go root on his country, I think that's a good thing."

A three-time World Series champion with the Dodgers, Hernández has experienced no shortage of thrills under the brightest lights. He's come through in huge moments in the postseason, and he's seen walk-off home runs in the World Series, including two courtesy of Freddie Freeman.

But as Hernández told reporters while in Puerto Rico, for him the Classic feels bigger than the World Series because of what it represents. And Hernaiz's walk-off blast -- the second in tournament history -- was one of the more electric things he's experienced in baseball.

"For me personally, I was running to home plate conscious that I wasn't necessarily part of the team, so I couldn't run laps around home plate like I did on Freddie's walk-off homers," Hernández said. "But it's still up there as one of those really cool moments that I'll always remember."

It prompted Hernández to send a text to Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, asking if he could attend the quarterfinals before Puerto Rico had even officially punched its ticket. Hernández recalls Friedman replying: "After watching that game, it's a pretty easy yes."

Hernández is hoping the answer will be the same if Puerto Rico advances to the semifinal in Miami.

This arrangement between Hernández and the team is a testament to their longstanding relationship. The Dodgers trust that Hernández will take the necessary steps in his rehab while he's away, and just as importantly, they understand why it is so important for him to be there.

Puerto Rico has overcome adversity to get this far, coming into the Classic without multiple notable players due to insurance and injury issues. That has made the team's run even more meaningful. And while what happens on Saturday is out of Hernández's hands, he is planning to soak it all in, just as he did in San Juan.

"I get a lot more nervous when I'm not playing because I don't have any power over it. I don't have any control over what's going on. It was pretty nerve-wracking," Hernández said. "Obviously seeing that stadium packed out was pretty special. Getting the 'W' and having a stadium of 18,000 people singing a pretty significant song for our island all together, it's a moment that I'll never forget."