Re: going with Ryan Ward over, say, James Tibbs III, Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes said: "Ward-o's done it before. He's done it for a while. It's good to get him back up and into the mix and hopefully get a really opportunity here."

Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes said the org is still trying to decide how to proceed with Kendall George's patellar injury. "But definitely going to miss some time. How much will be decided over the next week or so as we see different medical personnel." www.nytimes.com/athletic/731...

Jack Dreyer’s 15 days on the IL are up at the start of June. Dave Roberts said Dreyer (who faced hitters today) is on track to be activated that day and won’t need a rehab assignment.

Dave Roberts said Hyeseong Kim’s swing “has changed.” He’s gotten too much swing and miss of late. So they want to get him out of the “hot box” and reset things down in Triple-A.

Dave Roberts said Teoscar Hernández has a Grade 1 left hamstring strain. Didn’t have a timeline for his return.

The Dodgers optioned Hyeseong Kim, source says. CA Post was on it. Kim’s spot on the roster was tenuous even before Kiké Hernández’s injury this week.

Santiago Espinal is here at Dodger Stadium.

The Dodgers will recall Ryan Ward with Teoscar Hernández going on the IL with his hamstring strain, source tells The Athletic.

Teoscar Hernández is going on the injured list. “Disappointing,” manager Dave Roberts said. “He’s been playing so well, and he’s a big part of what we’re doing. So to lose him for any length of time is not great.” www.nytimes.com/athletic/731...

Dave Roberts said Teoscar Hernández is going on the IL. Few weeks “at the minimum.” Will get an MRI tomorrow.

What we know (for now) with Teoscar Hernández: www.nytimes.com/athletic/731...

The Dodgers are still reviewing Kendall George's imaging results, sources said. The initial belief is that he suffered a patellar injury (as CA Post said), but the belief is that he avoided any sort of ligament damage. www.nytimes.com/athletic/731...

Kiké Hernández could miss around 6-8 weeks with the oblique, depending on when symptoms subside.

Alex Freeland will likely get more of the playing time over Hyeseong Kim while both are on the roster. Said Freeland has earned “more runway.”

Dave Roberts said Kiké Hernández’s MRI showed a “significant tear” in his left oblique. Did not have a timeline.

Shohei Ohtani will hit and pitch tonight, Dave Roberts said.

On Kiké Hernández's return to the Dodgers, which ended after four plate appearances due to an injury he suffered before he even took the field on Monday: www.nytimes.com/athletic/731...

Shohei Ohtani will pitch tomorrow after getting hit on the hand tonight, but Dave Roberts said they want to see how the hand is doing before deciding if he will hit.

Dave Roberts said Alex Freeland will replace Kiké Hernández, who will go on the IL.

A “defeated” Kiké Hernández said he first hurt his oblique yesterday during batting practice. Thought he could play through it. Said his home run swing was full of pain. Then felt it when swinging and running on the double. Clearly and understandably frustrated after.

Kiké Hernández has strained his left oblique, just four plate appearances into his return to the Dodgers from offseason elbow surgery. On Hernández's injury and who will likely come up to fill the void: www.nytimes.com/athletic/731...

The Dodgers are awaiting results on testing on Kendall George's left knee after the outfield prospect – one of the fastest players in the minor leagues – was injured trying to avoid the team's bat dog in last night's game, per sources: www.nytimes.com/athletic/731...

Max Muncy is hitting on the field right now. He said he swung in the cage yesterday. Good sign as he rehabs his right wrist.

Evan Phillips said he throws against hitters Friday, then again Monday at Chase Field (when the Dodgers are there) before starting a rehab assignment with OKC. If, theoretically, he does the full stint there, that sets up a July return.

Evan Phillips (23 pitches) and Brock Stewart (17 pitches) faced Hyeseong Kim and Alex Call today.

Mookie Betts got moved down to the fourth spot in the Dodgers order today. Andy Pages is hitting second.

Evan Phillips, Brock Stewart and Jack Dreyer are all throwing today. First time Phillips will be facing hitters since undergoing Tommy John surgery. Big day for injured Dodger relievers.

“I woke up with (Dr. Neal) ElAttrache telling me, ‘This was the worst injury I’ve ever seen of this kind, and I don’t know how you played,’” Kiké Hernández recalled Monday. On Hernández, who made his return to the Dodgers: www.nytimes.com/athletic/730...

Tyler Glasnow has missed enough time in his build up that he will need a rehab assignment whenever he gets to that point, Dave Roberts said.

More injury updates per Dave Roberts: - “Hope” is for Max Muncy to be in the lineup on Wednesday - Tommy Edman starts a rehab with OKC tomorrow. Expect him to take the full three weeks. - Edwin Díaz is expected to start a throwing progression today or tomorrow

Kiké Hernández is playing third base and batting ninth in his season debut.

While redundancy (having two right-handed hitting utility types) was likely the biggest driver in the decision, a source said that Santiago Espinal has not reached his renegotiated guarantee date. That means the Dodgers aren't on the hook for his full $2.5 million for 2026.

In good pitching news for the Dodgers: Tyler Glasnow is currently playing catch after back issues caused him to pause his throwing progression.

Max Muncy is playing catch right now at Dodger Stadium. He has a wrap on that right wrist.

The Dodgers designated Santiago Espinal for assignment to clear a spot for Kiké Hernández.

"Just going back to what I used to do and just being yourself and trusting your ability and believing your stuff. (It’s) kind of going out there with a ‘F you, F it,’ like mindset, and just rolling.” On how Tanner Scott got rolling again for the Dodgers: www.nytimes.com/athletic/729...

"Just going back to what I used to do and just being yourself and trusting your ability and believing your stuff. (It’s) kind of going out there with a ‘F you, F it,’ like mindset, and just rolling.” On how Tanner Scott got rolling again for the Dodgers: www.nytimes.com/athletic/729...

Dave Roberts said Tommy Edman could start facing live pitching in Arizona next week. Could go out on a rehab assignment after that.

Eric Lauer reflected on what he called a "fresh start" with the Dodgers, said he "cleared up" some of his comments he made about how he was used in Toronto and pointed to some tweaks he could make to try to get his season on track: www.nytimes.com/athletic/729...

The Dodgers plan to have Eric Lauer make his first start next Tuesday against the Colorado Rockies. He'll be available for length out of the bullpen tomorrow.

Eric Lauer is here today. Wyatt Mills was optioned.

Blake Snell's NanoNeedle procedure today removed three bone spurs from his left elbow. This type of procedure is expected to shave off some of the recovery timeline.

Padres run differential: +8 Dodgers run differential: +93 The Dodgers saw firsthand how the Padres are doing this. San Diego has the most feared bullpen in the sport: www.nytimes.com/athletic/729...

Plenty of updates from Brandon Gomes: - Blake Snell will have the “NanoNeedle” procedure tomorrow (same as Skubal). Should shed a month off timeline. - Tyler Glasnow has been shut down from throwing for now. - Brusdar Graterol is discussing next steps, with back surgery an option

Andy Pages was never a lock to play center field, much less stick. He endured a low point defensively his first road trip last year. Now, he’s elite out there for the Dodgers. How? “I mean, the guy’s worked extremely hard.” Free and unlocked: www.nytimes.com/athletic/728...

Dave Roberts said the Dodgers plan to use Eric Lauer as a reliever/swingman.

Official now. Dodgers acquired Eric Lauer from Toronto and sent cash considerations back to the Blue Jays. Brusdar Graterol was transferred to the 60-day IL.

Dave Roberts said Jack Dreyer felt something warming up last night. Got a scan, which showed just inflammation. His hope is Dreyer is ready to go after the 15 days.

The Dodgers rearranged their rotation to have Shohei Ohtani pitch Wednesday, in front of an off day. Dave Roberts said the current plan is to have Ohtani hit in that game.

Paul Gervase and Chayce McDermott are up. Jack Dreyer to IL with left shoulder discomfort and Charlie Barnes optioned.