It took the entire offseason, up until the start of spring training, but the Los Angeles Dodgers finally agreed to terms with beloved utility man Kiké Hernández on a one-year, $6.5 million contract for 2025.

In a corresponding move, the Dodgers announced Tuesday that right-handed pitcher Gavin Stone had been placed on the 60-day Injured List.

This cleared a space for Hernández on Los Angeles’ 40-man roster without requiring another player to be designated for assignment.

So, a fan favorite returns to the reigning World Series champions on a one-year deal, and an injured pitcher who underperformed expectations last season looks destined for a lengthy recovery and rehab process.

That certainly worked out nicely. It’s almost as if it was planned that way all along.

Dodgers, Kiké Hernandez clearly had handshake agreement based on latest roster move

Technically, the earliest Stone could possibly return from the 60-day IL is May 17; but he will almost certainly miss much more time than that.

The 26-year-old didn’t pitch for the Dodgers after Aug. 31 last season due to a right shoulder injury

. Said injury required surgery on Oct. 9 and is expected to sideline Stone for the entire 2025 season.

Hernández hinted at his return with a hype video posted to social media on Feb. 9. Use of the 60-day injured list did not become available for the Dodgers until Feb. 10, the first day pitchers and catchers officially reported to spring training camp.

The team formally announced Hernández’s signing and Stone’s move to the 60-day IL on Feb. 11. Coincidence? We think not.

The Dodgers knew they wouldn’t have Stone available to them back in October; they just couldn’t move him to the 60-day IL and clear a spot on the 40-man roster until this week.

It’s unclear how long it’s been in place – possibly since Stone’s surgery in October – but the Dodgers definitely had a handshake deal with Hernández.

They made us sweat it out all offseason, but what’s done is done.

Kiké is back in Dodger Blue, and all is right with the world. Let the quest for back-to-back World Series titles begin!