During a recent visit, Teoscar Hernández reconnected with his former Toronto Blue Jays teammates, sharing playful banter with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first base and a hug with Bo Bichette between innings. The Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder, who met with players and staff during batting practice, said he still follows the team closely.
“I always watch their games because of Vladdy, Bo, Springer, and all the guys I played with,” Hernández said. “I’m always going to wish the best for everybody. They’re playing really good baseball, playing hard, and doing the little things in clutch moments. I hope we can meet in the World Series.”
Hernández revealed that he was nearly part of Toronto’s current success, as the Blue Jays pursued him heavily during his free agency last winter.
“We actually came really close to a reunion,” Hernández said. “They were trying to do a couple of things first. They said if this worked out, we can sit down and talk about a contract. So, yes, it was really close.”
It is believed the Blue Jays’ primary focus was securing a long-term extension for Guerrero Jr. While those negotiations continued, Hernández signed a three-year, $66 million contract to return to the Dodgers in early January. Guerrero’s foundational 14-year, $500-million extension was not finalized until April 7.
Throughout the process, Hernández said he supported and encouraged Guerrero to remain in Toronto. “I told him, ‘If you feel good over there, you have your whole life there, your family… so try to make it work.’”
“I don’t think about Toronto without Vladdy. He’s an iconic person there,” Hernández added. “He’s the right guy to be a Blue Jay for life. I’m happy for him, for the team, and for the fans.”
After a blistering start to the season with the Dodgers, Hernández was slowed by a left adductor strain and a foul ball off his foot. In 96 games, he is batting .254 with 18 home runs and 69 RBIs and is rounding back into form as the defending champions push toward October.
FLUHARTY SAVES THE DAY
With the bases loaded and one out in the ninth inning on Sunday, manager John Schneider called on Mason Fluharty to face Shohei Ohtani in a critical left-on-left matchup. As he walked in from the bullpen, the young reliever focused on a simple mantra: “No thinking of the situation, just go out there and pitch.”
Fluharty did just that, winning a nine-pitch battle with Ohtani by inducing a swing-and-miss on a full-count sweeper for the second out.
“Honestly, I wasn’t thinking strikeout; I wanted a double play,” Fluharty admitted. “A strikeout is even cooler.”
He quickly refocused for the next batter, Mookie Betts, and got him to hit into a fielder’s choice, securing his first career save and a 5-4 Blue Jays victory. “We wanted to go backdoor early and then bust him in,” he explained. “Luckily I did and got the ground ball.”
The high-pressure escape drew praise from his manager. “Man, that’s so cool for him, navigating that situation and not backing down,” Schneider said. “It’s cool for him moving forward to kind of have that in his back pocket.”
For the 23-year-old Fluharty, the outing was a major confidence boost. “I feel like now I really can believe in myself,” he said. “Moving forward, it’s about keeping the same mentality and just executing pitches.”
FRANCE FINDING A GROOVE
Since his arrival from the Minnesota Twins, first baseman Ty France has been working closely with Blue Jays hitting coach David Popkins, and the results are beginning to show. Over his last four games, France has recorded eight hits and two RBIs, including a key run-scoring single in Sunday’s comeback win.
The pair identified a key mechanical adjustment in France’s swing. “It’s a little movement with my load and my hands, trying to get them to climb up towards my head rather than push back,” France explained. “If I go back, my only movement is out and around, and I wasn’t able to drive the ball the way I wanted.”
The change has allowed France to stay short and compact, using the middle of the field more effectively. A prime example came when he drove a pitch from hard-throwing Victor Vodnik to the right side during Wednesday’s win over the Rockies.
“I haven’t done that in a long time,” France said. “To be able to do that, that’s when I know my swing is in a good spot.”
His recent success includes hits off top-tier pitchers like Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell, and Clayton Kershaw, confirming his adjustments are paying off.
