Dodgers' Hernández avoids major foot injury, could return by Tuesday

Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Teoscar Hernández appears to have evaded serious injury.

One day after a pitch off his left foot caused serious concern for the Dodgers, Hernández announced that all testing came back negative for any major injuries, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. While he's not in Saturday's lineup, Hernández won't need to go on the injured list.

"Thank God, nothing is broke. ... I thought it was going to be bad news," he told reporters, according to Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register.

Hernández was initially diagnosed with a left foot contusion after taking a Matthew Boyd slider off his foot in the first inning of Friday's game. Manager Dave Roberts was worried enough to admit postgame that he was pessimistic even after initial X-rays returned negative for fractures. Additional screening, including an MRI and CT scan, also came back clean.

"I'm just glad it was a breaking ball and not a fastball," Hernández said, per Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times.

The 31-year-old added that he was already feeling better and is eyeing a return to the lineup Monday or Tuesday, according to Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times. The timeline ultimately depends on how manageable the pain is as he resumes baseball activites over the next few days.

Hernández is in the midst of a huge bounce-back campaign in L.A. after signing a one-year deal with the Dodgers over the winter. The two-time Silver Slugger winner is hitting .266/.331/.488 with 28 homers and 87 RBIs over 138 games this season.

Rookie Andy Pages is starting in left field in place of Hernández on Saturday against the Cleveland Guardians.