Snapshots: Teoscar’s and Kershaw’s returns highlight Homestand 4

Teoscar Hernández’s three-run home run gave Los Angeles a 3–1 victory in the homestand finale on May 21 against the Arizona Diamondbacks. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

by Mark Langill

A heralded prospect’s Major League debut and the return of a powerful bat to the Los Angeles lineup marked the Dodgers’ 4–5 homestand from May 13–21 against the Athletics, Angels and Diamondbacks.

Despite the losing record, including four straight setbacks at home for the first time since 2018, the Dodgers (31–19) increased their National League West lead by one game as they embarked on a six-game road trip against the New York Mets and Cleveland Guardians.

Dalton Rushing, the Dodgers’ top Minor League prospect, was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on May 14. The catcher was batting .308 with five home runs and 17 RBI.

Originally selected by the Dodgers in the second round of the 2022 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Louisville, Rushing was the Dodgers’ 2024 Branch Rickey Minor League Player of the Year after registering a combined 26 home runs and 85 RBI between Double-A and Triple-A.

The Dodgers also welcomed Teoscar Hernández back to the lineup. His three-run home run on May 21 against Arizona’s Corbin Burnes gave Los Angeles the needed offense for a 3–1 victory. It was his first home run since returning from 12 games missed with a right hamstring strain.

The Dodgers completed their 18th comeback win of the season, the most in the Majors.

Catcher Will Smith tries to tag the Athletics’ Shane Langeliers, who scored in the fifth inning on Lawrence Butler’s double during the Athletics’ 11–1 win on May 13. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Dalton Rushing poses in front of the Dodger dugout railing on May 14 after his promotion from Triple-A Oklahoma City. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Yoshinobu Yamamoto allowed three runs on four hits in six innings during a 9–3 victory over the Athletics on May 14. (Carrie Giordano/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Rookie Hyeseong Kim belted his first Major League home run on May 14 during the Dodgers’ 9–3 victory against the Athletics. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers and Carrie Giordano/Los Angeles Dodgers)

On the verge of his Major League debut on May 15, Rushing leaves the Dodger bullpen and walks toward the home dugout with starting pitcher Matt Sauer. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

On Shohei Ohtani Bobblehead Night, Shohei Ohtani had two home runs and six RBI on May 15 against the Athletics. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Freddie Freeman played in his 500th game as a Dodger on May 15. He went 2-for-3 through the third inning against the Athletics with a run scored and an RBI. (Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

On May 15, Max Muncy hit a 408-foot home run to right field to move into eighth place on the Dodgers’ all-time home run list. Muncy’s 193rd homer as a Dodger moved him past Carl Furillo. Next on the list is Matt Kemp (203), who ranks seventh. (Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Justin Wrobleski allowed one hit in four scoreless innings to pick up the victory on May 15 against the Athletics. (Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

After going 2-for-4 with three runs scored in his Major League debut on May 15, Rushing poses with his family. (Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Manager Dave Roberts visits with Angels’ reliever Kenley Jansen, who saved a franchise-record 350 games with the Dodgers from 2010 to 2021. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Left-hander Clayton Kershaw made his 2025 debut against the Angels on May 17. Kershaw allowed five runs in four innings and had a no-decision in the Dodgers’ 11–9 loss. Kershaw also joined Bill Russell and Zack Wheat as the only Dodgers to play 18 seasons with the franchise. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

On the May 19 Vin Scully Bobblehead Night, members of the Hall of Fame broadcaster’s family watch a tribute video honoring Scully’s 67-year career with the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers from 1950 to 2016. (Carrie Giordano/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Scully’s granddaughter, Grace Luderer, threw out the ceremonial first pitch to Rushing. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Mookie Betts hit two home runs against the Arizona on May 19. It was his second multi-homer game of the season and the 31st of his career. (Carrie Giordano/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Mexican Heritage Night on May 20 featured a luchador wrestling match in center field, along with a performance by La Original Banda el Limon de Salador Lizarraga. (Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Yoshinobu Yamamoto allowed just one hit in seven innings during the Dodgers’ 4–3 victory in 10 innings over Arizona on May 20. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers) and (Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

On May 20, the Dodgers rallied for three runs in the 10th inning for a 4–3 victory in 10 innings over Arizona. Max Muncy delivered his sixth career walkoff-RBI. (Gary Vasquez/Los Angeles Dodgers)

On his May 21 bobblehead day, Will Smith’s main catching duties involved his daughter Charlotte Ann, who delivered the ceremonial first pitch as her mother, Cara, watched with delight while holding the newest addition to the Smith family — Layton. Charlotte Ann then stood next to her father during the national anthem.

(Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers and Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

On May 21, Dustin May allowed one run on five hits in six innings. He also tied a season high with eight strikeouts in a 3–1 victory over Arizona. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

With the day off from catching, Smith took charge of celebration duties when Hernández, the usual keeper of the sunflower seeds, homered on May 21 against Arizona. (Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Snapshots: Teoscar’s and Kershaw’s returns highlight Homestand 4 was originally published in Dodger Insider on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.