NEW YORK — Kiké Hernandez is not shy about exposure.
Early this season, the Dodgers infielder was mic’ed up for an ESPN broadcast. The microphone picked up the Pitch.com device he was wearing in his ear, allowing viewers to hear what pitch the Dodgers pitcher was about to throw.
Friday night, Hernandez was wired for sound again during the Apple TV broadcast of the Dodgers-Yankees game. This time, he made an error during the second inning while talking with broadcasters Wayne Randazzo and Dontrelle Willis. Hernandez booted a ground ball by Gleyber Torres, though it did not lead to a run.
After the game, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he was not aware Hernandez was mic’ed up at the time of the error. It was clear he is not a fan of the in-game, on-field interviews – though he acknowledged it’s not something he can change.
“I understand it. It’s part of sports now,” Roberts said. “So, unfortunately, Kiké made an error. It’s not the only error he’s ever made. It’s part of sports. I pick my battles.”
After Friday’s game, Hernandez said the distraction of doing the interview might have been “a little bit” of a factor in making the error. But he won’t stop doing them if asked.
“No, because we’re getting paid,” he told the reporter. “I like money.”
Players are paid $10,000 for their participation in the mic’ed-up interviews.
Roberts said he had not talked to Hernandez about the situation.
“I know he likes the limelight. He’s into the social media thing,” Roberts said. “He still plays hard, practices hard. But he still likes to build his brand. So I get it. I’m OK with it. He plays his butt off.”
COMING SOON
Roberts said he spoke with Clayton Kershaw and the veteran left-hander came out of his two-inning simulated game Friday feeling fine. The plan is for Kershaw to do another simulated game next week, this time for three innings. After that, he would start a rehab assignment.
Meanwhile, Roberts said the Dodgers have not decided yet whether Bobby Miller will make another rehab start after he threw four-plus innings for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday. It was Miller’s third rehab start.
Starting Tuesday against the Texas Rangers, the Dodgers will have another stretch of 13 consecutive games between off days. Going with a five-man rotation during that time would lead to two starters going on “regular” rest twice. “I don’t see” that happening,” Roberts said.
“So there might be a drop-in situation, something like that,” Roberts said.
SNUBBED SUITORS
Yoshinobu Yamamoto was booed by some of the sold-out crowd during Friday night’s victory at Yankee Stadium – though not as loudly as Shohei Ohtani when he visited Toronto and San Francisco. The Yankees were one of the teams that pursued Yamamoto this offseason and seemed to have a good chance to sign him before he chose the Dodgers.
Yamamoto insisted there was no extra motivation to pitch well against the Yankees.
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“The Yankees are a great team, and I appreciate their interest in me during the negotiation,” Yamamoto said through his interpreter after his seven scoreless innings Friday. “Like with some of the teams I negotiated with and had a meeting with – all the teams were great and I appreciate them equally. But when I face them, it’s just a normal game.”
ALSO
Right-hander Elieser Hernandez signed with the Milwaukee Brewers after being designated for assignment by the Dodgers last week. He was outrighted to Triple-A but elected free agency and declined the assignment. Hernandez had an 8.38 ERA in five appearances (one start) for the Dodgers.
UP NEXT
Dodgers (RHP Tyler Glasnow, 6-4, 2.93 ERA) at Yankees (RHP Luis Gil, 8-1, 1.82 ERA), 4:10 p.m. Sunday, ESPN, 570 AM
