Just when you thought you’d seen everything, last night the Los Angeles Dodgers used Kiké Hernández (a position player) to pitch the final inning of a lopsided 15-2 game against the Miami Marlins.
OK, so using a position player in mop-up duty isn’t exactly news in MLB. In fact, it became so commonplace a few years ago that MLB changed the rule limiting their use. In order to use a position player as a pitcher…
leading teams have to be up by 10 or more runs in the ninth inning in order to let a position player pitch while trailing teams can use a position player anytime it’s down by eight or more runs. Position players are also allowed to pitch anytime in extra innings.
But Hernández didn’t just enter a blowout game to toss an inning. There were several firsts he achieved.
He didn’t even start the game. He came off the bench to replace Freddie Freeman at first base, which would begin his special night.
Hernández got a hit, scored two runs, played multiple positions, and then pitched a scoreless ninth inning.
…with his team winning.
And he did so while wearing a pitching helmet!
Here’s video of the achievement:
A position player on the mound … to close out a win?!
Kiké Hernández is 1-of-1 😂 pic.twitter.com/WvsujlCQZD
— MLB (@MLB) April 30, 2025
The evening meant Hernández became the first player in MLB history to score multiple runs, play multiple positions AND toss a clean frame as a position player, in a game he didn’t even start.
Kiké Hernández of the @Dodgers is the only MLB player in the modern era to score multiple runs, play multiple positions and have a scoreless outing on the mound all in a game he did not start. pic.twitter.com/xkmBGnb1mE
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) April 30, 2025
I’ve always liked and admired Hernández, except when he plays against my team (and always seems to rise to the occasion, especially in the playoffs). I was fine (cheering even) when he clubbed the game winning home run in the NLDS last fall against the Padres, but then he continued his post season magic against my Mets. In total, he batted .294 (15-for-51) with a triple, two home runs, and six RBI across 14 postseason games for the Dodgers. He also had his best game in Game 3 of the NLCS against the Mets, going 2-for-5 with two runs, a home run, and two RBI. In total, he hit .316 (9-for-28) in the NLCS.
Good for Kiké and good on him for wearing the pitching helmet. Hopefully we haven’t seen the last of his time on the bump.
Are there any pitchers who wear this protective cap regularly? Feel like I have never seen that used before. I know several pitchers used to have the larger padded hats in the past, but never seen this batting helmet type look before.
The most famous example is probably that of Alex Torres, who Paul covered back in the day…
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Awesome, thanks for the link! Forgot all about David Wright’s giant helmet!
I love the look of this!
The earflap is a really fun detail too. It’s still kind of a half-flap, but only on the right side, which makes sense, given that his right side is facing the plate after the pitch. I know he’s not the first to wear protective headgear while pitching, but the asymmetric nature of it feels like a first.
Are we still keeping track of single digit pitchers? Add that to his accomplishments.
The marlins just dropped their new city connects
The best part for me is when he hit the back of his head to dislodge a wad of spit.
Hopefully the amount of Barstool/OutKick bros on social media calling him a pussy and a dork doesn’t detract from other wearing this. This doesn’t look like it would be much more than wearing a batting helmet in the field.
This is the first I’ve heard of a “pitching helmet”. How common is this in MLB or other levels of the game? Was there any reason stated why he wore this?
Aesthetically, this is definitely an upgrade over what Alex Torres wore several years ago. I hope that leads to more pitchers using it.
Dodger broadcast referenced the helmet in today’s game and noted that the helmet was actually designed for Bobby Miller, another Dodgers pitcher, who took a come-backer off his head and had a concussion early in spring training this season. I don’t think Miller ever wore the helmet and he is currently in triple-A.
Dodger broadcast referenced the helmet in today’s game and noted that the helmet was actually designed for Bobby Miller, another Dodgers pitcher, who took a come-backer off his head and had a concussion early in spring training this season. I don’t think Miller ever wore the helmet and he is currently in triple-A.
It actually doesn’t look too weird/bad, especially considering the bulkier padding we’ve seen used (infrequently) in the past. I would be interested to know if he actually wore it for protection though or just to be goofy, because that seems like something he’d do.
Good for him. We need to see some ads on it to really make it stand out.
Enough with the Area Codes on uniforms. This is truly a sign that Nike designers have run out of original ideas along with the ability to design attractive baseball uniforms.
Personally, I am looking forward to ZIP code CCs…
It reminds me of those wildly oversized baseball hats that got banned from dugouts in 2023 because they weren’t licensed by New Era.
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