LA Galaxy's Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez's return from calf injury "very close," says Guillermo Barros Schelotto

Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez has been out with a calf injury since mid-July, but the LA Galaxy's return is growing near, said manager Guillermo Barros Schelotto.

“Today I’ve been talking with him and with the doctor," Schelotto said on Monday. "He was training in the gym and on the pitch and training well, he’s growing every day. I think this week he will take some big risks to take some steps forward.

The Galaxy visit the Portland Timbers on Wednesday night (10:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in the US; MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada), then host El Trafico rivals LAFC on Sunday (10:30 pm ET | UniMas, TUDN in US; MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada).

"I think he won’t be ready for Portland, I don’t know with LAFC but I think we are very close to have him [in our lineup],” Schelotto said.

Hernandez — Mexico's all-time leading international goal scorer — has one goal in three appearances since signing a Designated Player contract to join the Galaxy prior to the season. That goal came in LA's 2-1 loss to Portland in both teams' MLS is Back Tournament opener.