Dodgers super utility Kiké Hernandez made his first rehab appearance with Rancho Cucamonga Quakes at LoanMart Field on Monday night after spending nearly a month on the disabled list for left rib cage inflammation. The popular 24-year-old San Juan, Puerto Rico native was placed on the disabled list on June 28 and had been recovering at extended spring training in Glendale, Arizona, and after two successful outings with the Arizona Rookie League Dodgers he was reassigned to the Dodgers Advanced Single-A affiliate.

“It feels good. Obviously it feels a little rusty,” Hernandez said, after playing a full nine innings in center field for the Quakes. “I missed a month and got two games in the AZL and I was a little scared to get to hit four times in a game, but it was good to be back here in California again to get a game and feeling healthy.”

Hernandez then surprised reporters when he revealed that his rehab assignment in Rancho Cucamonga would be a short one.

“I’m just out here [in Rancho Cucamonga] for one more day and then two games in Tulsa so I can get my rhythm back,” said Hernandez. “And then hopefully I’ll re-join the team on Saturday.”

Although Hernandez did not make any plays on defense in center field during Monday night’s 12-1 rout of the Inland Empire 66ers (Angels), he went 1 for 4 at the plate with a fly out to short left field, a looping single to left, stole a base, drew a walk and struck out twice swinging.

Hernandez looped a single to left field in his second at-bat on Monday night. He ended up going 1 for 4 with a walk and a stolen base. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Hernandez said that he will play center field again for the Quakes on Tuesday night and then one game at second base and one game in right field with the Double-A Tulsa Drillers, but added that this hasn’t been finalized.

Even though Hernandez only had the one base hit, he said that he planned all along to attempt to steal a base if he got on.

“I hit eight fly balls in the AZL so it was something that I just kind of wanted to test it,” Hernandez said. “Before I went on the DL that was one of the main issues, it hurt a lot to run. I got that base hit and I wanted to run, slide, see how it felt and it came out fine.”

As for the game itself, it was an extremely one-sided affair. Although the 66ers got on the board first with a second-inning leadoff solo home run by first baseman Zach Houchins, he would be the only member of the Inland Empire club to cross home plate on the night.

Meanwhile, the Rancho crew pushed across 12 runs, six of them at the hands (or bat) of Quakes designated hitter Johan Mieses, who slugged two three-run home runs on the night.

“These guys didn’t need any help from me, these guys rake!” said Kiké Hernandez of the Quakes offense.

As it turned out, Mieses’ three-run home run in the bottom of the second inning would be the only offense the Quakes needed on Monday night; but they tacked on nine more runs just for good measure – including a second three-run shot by Mieses. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

While the 66ers had only the one run and could manage only seven hits, the Quakes had 16 hits on the night including two doubles by Mieses – in addition to his two home runs – to give him a 4 for 5 / 6-RBI night. Quakes first baseman Michael Ahmed also had a great night at the plate with three singles in his four at-bats. Also worthy of mention is Quakes left fielder Yusniel Diaz, who was 2 for 4 with a triple. The 19-year-old La Habana, Cuba native returned from the disabled list for shoulder irritation just six days ago and is 6 for 16 (.375) since, with one RBI and four runs scored.

Quakes right-hander Josh Sborz notched the win – his eighth of the season against four losses – allowing only the one run on four hits while walking none and striking out six. His 2.64 ERA is now the best on the team among pitchers with 16 or more starts.

With the win, the Quakes now trail the Lake Elsinore Storm (Padres) by three games and the Lancaster JetHawks (Astros) by a half-game in the Cal League South second-half standings. They face the 66ers again tonight and Wednesday night before squaring off for a four-game series against the High Desert Mavericks (Rangers) – the Cal League South first-half winners – at LoanMart Field.

Dodgers left-hander Brett Anderson is scheduled to make his first rehab start since undergoing back surgery on March 3, 2016 for a bulging disk in the series opener against the Mavs. It is believed that he will pitch only the first two innings, just as he would if it were his first spring training outing – which, in essence, it is.