The Dodgers are hopeful Andy Pages’ season isn’t over.
But after he was drilled in the hand by a 100 mph fastball on Friday, the All-Star’s status is suddenly in some doubt.
According to manager Dave Roberts, Pages suffered a fracture on the back of his hand in the Dodgers’ 5-4 walk-off win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday.
Roberts said Pages is expected to return this season, but could be sidelined for up to 4-5 weeks.
“It’s just really unfortunate, obviously,” Roberts said. “I would expect him back, knowing him, on the earlier side … But I feel for him because he was having such a good year and he likes to play. But yeah, we’ve got to move on and hold down the fort until he’s back.”
Pages had been having a breakout campaign in 2026, emerging as one of the majors’ best center fielders with both his bat and his glove.
Offensively, the 25-year-old entered Friday hitting .272 with 21 home runs, 80 RBIs and a career-best .797 OPS in his third MLB season. Defensively, his plus-18 mark in defensive runs saved was fifth-best in the majors at any position, and behind only Ceddanne Rafaela of the Boston Red Sox among center fielders.
Without Pages –– who will be further evaluated this weekend to see if surgery on his injury is required –– the Dodgers will have to scramble to find a replacement in their lineup.
Kiké Hernández is the most obvious option, as a veteran bat with ample center-field experience in his career. However, he has played only 16 games this season because of injuries, and has gone just 4-for-30 at the plate since most recently returning from the IL last month. As a right-handed hitter, the Dodgers might also prefer him in more of a platoon role.
Switch-hitting utilityman Tommy Edman is another center field option for the Dodgers, and is under consideration to factor in at the position moving forward, Roberts said. However, the team has largely used him at only second base and left field so far this year, and might be hesitant to give him regular starts in center following his ankle surgery this offseason.
In the minor leagues, the Dodgers’ only 40-man roster member with extensive center field experience is Alek Thomas, a five-year MLB veteran who was traded to the Dodgers earlier this season after being designated for assignment by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Thomas, a left-handed hitter, has hit .297 in 54 games in triple-A this year.
The Dodgers do have a deep crop of outfield prospects, including James Tibbs III and (in Double-A) Josue De Paula. Nevertheless, they are both primarily corner outfielders with defensive question marks at that. Another triple-A prospect, Zach Ehrhard, is having a productive season in Oklahoma City, but would have to be added to the 40-man roster in order to be called up.
“We’re going to huddle up tonight and see who we bring,” Roberts said. “You’ve got to be mindful of the defense, certainly in center field … We’ll piece it together. I’m not sure right now, but I do think that the main thing is locking down center field.”
Ideally, whatever plan the Dodgers come up with will only have to be short-term.
Roberts said he didn’t expect Pages’ timeline to change depending on whether or not he needs surgery. He reiterated his expectation of having the slugger back in time for the beginning of a postseason in which the Dodgers will be pursuing a third-consecutive World Series title.
For now, however, the team will have to wait and see, only able to hope Pages’ hand recovers quickly enough.
