Kiké Hernandez made a pitching appearance for his Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday night, and he wore an interesting helmet while doing so.
Hernandez came in to pitch during the bottom of the sixth inning of his Dodgers’ 11-1 loss to the San Diego Padres at Petco Park in San Diego, Calif. His team was down 9-0 at the time, and the Dodgers were already making it a “bullpen game,” so having him pitch fit in with the theme. Hernandez was making his third appearance as a pitcher this season, and the helmet he used captured attention.
Now in to pitch for the Dodgers: Kiké Hernández… In the 6th inning 😳 pic.twitter.com/GL8GdVQ3Od
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) June 11, 2025
Hernandez was using what’s called a pitcher’s helmet. These are new products that MLB wanted to come up with to help protect pitchers against comebackers to the head.
BoomBang created the pitcher’s helmet. They describe the product as a “low-profile, composite cap-helmet hybrid made of carbon fiber with advanced energy-absorbing materials and breathable moisture-wicking liner.” It is a half-helmet and designed to protect against line drives to the head.
It’s smart of Hernandez to use the helmet considering he’s not a pitcher and the likelihood of opponents hitting the ball against him hard are high.
Hernandez went 2.1 innings and allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits and two walks. He has a 2.08 ERA and 1.85 WHIP this season. He made four pitching appearances last season and had a 4.15 ERA and 1.15 WHIP.
Padres star Jackson Merrill had some great comments about Hernandez after the game.
