Teoscar Hernández was left out of the Dodgers' lineup with the team aiming to avoid a sweep by the Arizona Diamondbacks. The team cited struggles versus right-handed pitching and a need for a two-day reset rather than everyday playing time. Alex Call started in right field and has produced solid defense and improved hitting, posting .244/.333/.378 in 22 games overall and .300/.387/.467 in his last 15. Hernández has slumped, hitting .185/.233/.389 in his last 15 games and .209/.252/.382 since June 1, with a .634 OPS and 72 wRC+, the lowest among qualifiers, and defensive effort has been a concern.
So it was notable Roberts did not include Hernández in the lineup in a game he viewed as more important than normal. "I think clearly he hasn't handled right-handed pitching, I think a two-day reset can help," Roberts said. "He's an everyday guy, but I do think where we're at, you've got to perform to warrant being out there every single day, regardless."
Instead of Hernández, it was Alex Call who started in right field. Call has hit .244/.333/.378 in 22 games with the Dodgers since being acquired from the Washington Nationals, while also playing quality defense. But more recently, Call is hitting .300/.387/.467 in his last 15 games. Meanwhile, Hernández is batting .185/.233/.389 in his last 15 games, also adding poor defense that often looks like a lack of effort.
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