Teoscar Hernández isn't expected to rejoin the Dodgers until next week, but the slugging outfielder sure looks ready for a return to the Major Leagues.
For the second straight night, Hernández crushed a two-run home run in a rehab appearance for Triple-A Oklahoma City against Reno, giving him two dingers in his first two rehab games.
Out since May 27 with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain, Hernández has not seemed to be hampered physically during his action with the Comets. After going 1-for-3 with his homer on Tuesday and playing five innings in left field, he went 1-for-4 on Wednesday and played seven innings in left.
Hernández launched a 106.6 mph homer in the third inning off a changeup from Aces starter Yu-Min Lin, crushing the ball off the scoreboard behind the left-field wall. According to the Comets, Hernández’s homer traveled 449 feet.
Hernández grounded out softly to third base in his first at-bat on Wednesday. After the homer, he hit into a pair of double plays, grounding into a 3-6 double play in the fourth inning and lining into a 5-3 twin killing in the seventh.
Batting .276 with seven home runs and a .784 OPS this season, Hernández is expected to be activated during the Dodgers’ upcoming series against the Athletics, which begins Monday in West Sacramento.
Also rehabbing with the Comets on Wednesday was veteran right-hander Evan Phillips, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery. Phillips, who began his rehab stint with Oklahoma City on June 4, allowed a run on two hits and a walk while recording two outs in the third inning.