Rays' Jonathan Hernandez: Dismissed from big-league camp
Rotowire
The Rays reassigned Hernandez to minor-league camp Monday.
Hernandez is likely to begin the season at Triple-A Durham after falling short in his bid for a spot in Tampa Bay's Opening Day bullpen. The hard-throwing right-hander previously recorded four saves while filling a high-leverage relief role for Texas during the 2022 season, but control problems kept him from having much success in the majors over the subsequent two seasons.
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Rays' Jonathan Hernandez: Lands in Tampa Bay as NRI
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The Rays signed Hernandez to a minor-league contract Thursday that includes an invitation to spring training, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Hernandez, 28, posted a 5.40 ERA and 39:28 K:BB over 43.1 innings between the Rangers and Mariners last season. He will compete for a bullpen job this spring but is likely ticketed for Triple-A Durham.
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Mariners' Jonathan Hernandez: Sent outright to Triple-A
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The Mariners outrighted Hernandez to Triple-A Tacoma on Sunday.
Hernandez will report to the Mariners' Triple-A affiliate after he cleared waivers upon being designated for assignment Thursday. The right-hander has produced a 5.40 ERA and 1.59 WHIP with 39 strikeouts over 43.1 innings across 29 appearances at the big-league level between the Rangers and Mariners this season.
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Mariners' Jonathan Hernandez: Joins major-league roster
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Hernandez was added to the Mariners' major-league roster Saturday.
Hernandez was claimed off waivers by Seattle on Friday after he was designated for assignment by the Rangers earlier in the week. He will now join Seattle's bullpen ahead of the second game of their series at home against the Phillies. Hernandez has produced a 5.05 ERA and 1.59 WHIP with 36 strikeouts over 41 innings in 26 appearances with the Rangers this season.
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Mariners' Jonathan Hernandez: Scooped up by Seattle
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The Mariners claimed Hernandez from waivers Friday.
Hernandez was designated for assignment by the Rangers on Tuesday after Texas acquired southpaw Andrew Chafin in a trade with Detroit. Across 26 major-league outings this season, Hernandez has a 5.05 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 36:26 K:BB across 41 innings. The 28-year-old right-hander will likely begin his tenure with his new organization with Triple-A Tacoma, but he could make his way back to the majors if the Mariners require his arm out of the bullpen.
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Rangers' Jonathan Hernandez: Designated for assignment
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The Rangers designated Hernandez for assignment Tuesday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
With the Rangers acquiring Andrew Chafin in a trade with the Tigers on Tuesday, Hernandez will lose his spot on the roster in order to create space. The 28-year-old righty owns a 5.05 ERA and 1.59 WHIP through 41 innings on the year.
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Rangers' Jonathan Hernandez: Activated from injured list
Rotowire
The Rangers activated Hernandez (lat) from the 15-day injured list Monday.
Hernandez got a late start to the season due to a right lat strain but is ready to roll now after allowing just three runs with a 14:4 K:BB over 10 rehab innings with Triple-A Round Rock. The righty could eventually work his way into high-leverage situations but will probably be used earlier in games initially.
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Rangers' Jonathan Hernandez: Starts rehab assignment
Rotowire
Hernandez (lat) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday.
Hernandez struck out one over a scoreless inning in his first appearance with Round Rock. The plan is for him to make a handful of rehab appearances, including working on back-to-back day, before he rejoins the Rangers' bullpen.
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Rangers' Jonathan Hernandez: Shelved with lat strain
Rotowire
The Rangers placed Hernandez (lat) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.
The right lat strain that Hernandez suffered late in the 2023 regular season delayed his start to spring training, as he logged just 3.1 innings in Cactus League play before camp came to an end. According to MLB.com, general manager Chris Young said that the Rangers want to see Hernandez pitch multiple innings in a rehab game and work on back-to-back days before bringing him back from the IL. He'll be eligible for activation beginning April 9.
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Rangers' Jonathan Hernandez: Uncertain for Opening Day
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Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Monday that Hernandez (shoulder) will make his Cactus League debut Monday, but Bochy is unsure whether the reliever will have enough time to prep for Opening Day, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.
Hernandez has been slow-played this spring after suffering a right shoulder injury during last year's postseason. He's come along without any apparent setbacks, but the hard-throwing righty might not have enough runway to show he should be in the Opening Day bullpen.
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Rangers' Jonathan Hernandez: Heads to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Rangers optioned Hernandez to Triple-A Round Rock on Monday.
Hernandez entered the season as a candidate for saves, but he's struggled to a 6.65 ERA over 25 appearances out of the bullpen. He'll look to get back on track in the minors before Texas considers calling him back up.
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Rangers' Jonathan Hernandez: Throws scoreless inning
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Hernandez allowed two hits and struck out two over a scoreless inning in Monday's 6-4 loss to the Pirates.
Hernandez finished the game following another Texas bullpen meltdown. The fact Hernandez wasn't one of the culprits gives the club a sliver of hope he's getting over a recent stretch of poor results. Expected to be an eighth-inning bridge, Hernandez had allowed eight runs (three home runs) over his last 1.2 innings. This was the second consecutive outing in which he did not pitch in a high-leverage situation.
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Rangers' Jonathan Hernandez: Walked off Wednesday
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Hernandez (0-1) allowed two runs on two hits and did not retire a batter, picking up his first loss in Wednesday's game against the Reds.
Texas was swept by Cincinnati in a series that featured shaky bullpen performances. The relief crew had been strong for the Rangers, but on three consecutive days, several members of the group allowed the Reds to take leads in the eighth inning or later, including two walkoff wins. Hernandez entered the day with a 1.80 ERA over his first 10 outings before Nick Senzel's game-ending, two-run home run.
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Rangers' Jonathan Hernandez: Provides relief in win
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Hernandez allowed one walk and struck out two over two-thirds of an inning in Sunday's 9-1 win over the Astros.
While the final score indicates a blowout, Hernandez and Will Smith provided expert high-leverage relief work in the seventh inning, as Houston loaded the bases with none out and Texas leading, 6-0. Hernandez struck out Martin Maldonado and Mauricio Dubon before walking in a run. It wasn't officially a hold, but it felt like one. Hernandez has allowed two runs, three hits and three walks while striking out eight over six innings. The right-hander will continue to pitch in late-game scenarios and could get an occasional save chance.
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Rangers' Jonathan Hernandez: Could be in closer mix
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Rangers GM Chris Young said Saturday that Hernandez "could be a closer" for the club in 2023, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.
Jose Leclerc, who finished 2022 as Texas' closer, is likely the current frontrunner for the job and was the first of many names mentioned by Young, but Hernandez was the next man brought up by the new GM. Hernandez returned from a lengthy absence last season after he underwent Tommy John surgery in 2021 and had a 2.97 ERA with four saves across 30.1 innings, but he struggled with his command at times and had a 13.0 percent walk rate. The right-hander may not open 2023 as the Rangers' primary closer, but Hernandez should have a high-leverage role and is likely to receive some save chances at some point.
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Rangers' Jonathan Hernandez: Settles at $1.275 million
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Hernandez signed a one-year, $1.275 million contract with the Rangers on Friday to avoid arbitration, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Recovery from a Tommy John procedure in April 2021 kept Hernandez from playing last season until mid-July, but he was effective after he returned. In 30.1 innings, he recorded a 2.97 ERA and 1.42 WHIP -- good enough to keep him in a setup role to start 2023.
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Rangers' Jonathan Hernandez: Picks up extra-inning win
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Hernandez (1-0) earned the extra-inning win Saturday over the Twins. He allowed an unearned run on a hit and a walk while striking out one over two innings.
Hernandez was kept in the game for the 10th inning after pitching a scoreless ninth. The right-hander walked Carlos Correa, got two outs, allowed a run to score on an error and then got Jose Miranda to fly out to end the threat. This was Hernandez's first win in 12 appearances this year, and he's maintained a 2.08 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 11:5 K:BB through 12 innings. He's functioned as the head of the Rangers' closer committee with Joe Barlow (finger) out -- Hernandez has four saves, all since July 31, and Jose Leclerc is the only other reliever on the team to log a save in that span.
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Rangers' Jonathan Hernandez: Earns fourth save Monday
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Hernandez picked up the save in Monday's 2-1 win over the Athletics. He threw a perfect inning with two strikeouts.
The 26-year-old has emerged as the top option for the Rangers in the ninth inning with Joe Barlow and Dennis Santana on the shelf and Brett Martin failing to get the job done. Hernandez has recorded four saves since July 31 and owns a healthy 2.45 ERA in 11 innings this season. Hernandez should continue to be the top option to close out games for Texas as long as the bullpen remains hampered, and perhaps beyond.
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Rangers' Jonathan Hernandez: Shuts door for third save
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Hernandez pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn the save in a 7-4 victory over the Mariners on Saturday.
Hernandez continues to look good as the Texas closer. He now has three saves since July 31 and has pitched well this season with a 1.10 WHIP over 10 appearances. Rangers manager Chris Woodward will likely keep handing him the ball as long as he remains effective, although former closer Joe Barlow (finger) could be a factor again once he's activated from the IL.
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Rangers' Jonathan Hernandez: Notches first save
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Hernandez saved Sunday's 5-2 win against the Angels, striking out one in a 1-2-3 ninth inning.
Manager Chris Woodward turned to Hernandez for his fifth appearance of the campaign after Texas took the lead in the top of the ninth, and the 26-year-old delivered an easy frame. Texas has featured a revolving door at closer of late and Hernandez may be the new favorite, as he's permitted four baserunners with four strikeouts across five scoreless innings this season.
