Los Angeles Dodgers utility player Kike Hernandez is out injured, recovering from an elbow injury, but that has not stopped him from supporting his teammates on the Puerto Rico team.

Hernandez underwent elbow surgery in November, after he played through the pain during the stretch run of the season.

He spent time on the injured list during the regular season with the injury, though he came back and played every game of the postseason at multiple positions.

In a somber tone, he announced that he was going to miss the World Baseball Classic due to his recovery.

While unable to play, Hernandez remains with the team, going so far as to dye his hair platinum blonde, a practice the Puerto Rican team follows during the tournament.

The 2026 WBC is even more special for Hernandez and the team — Puerto Rico is hosting pool play for the first time since 2013.

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How has Hernandez helped Puerto Rico?

According to The Athletic’s Katie Woo, Hernandez helped the team recruit Nolan Arenado, whose mother was of Puerto Rican descent.

He organized a dinner with Arenado and his new Dodgers teammate, Edwin Diaz, who both launched a full-court press and explained the team’s culture.

“As a guy who has represented Puerto Rico for a few years now, I let him know how much it means to me that a guy with his status decided to help us out and represent us,” Hernández said.

“How much it means to us that he’s willing to switch jerseys. He could have easily said, ‘If I’m not USA, I’m not going to do it.’”

Hernandez even got Arenado to bleach his hair, buzz his longer hair, and hook him up with his hairdresser.

He will be in attendance for the team’s first two games, on Friday and Saturday, before returning for his rehabilitation at Dodgers camp.

While with the team and on one of Puerto Rico’s youngest rosters due to insurance issues, Hernandez can help provide his leadership and clubhouse energy, which he is well-known for in the Dodgers organization.

Preferably, Hernandez would have been with the team for the whole tournament, but with a target date of late May, when he is set to come off the 60-Day injured list, he can’t afford to spend more time in his native country.

“I don’t want to delay my rehab,” Hernandez added. “I just want to go and experience it and be with the guys.

“I feel like even though I’m not part of it, I can still be one of the leaders of that group. Unfortunately, I can’t be there for the whole tournament, but if I can be there for even two games and be part of it in Puerto Rico in some capacity, that would be pretty cool for me.”