Hernandez has covered five innings without allowing an earned run over three Cactus League appearances.
Hernandez has also posted a 6:1 K:BB with just three hits allowed. His workload hasn't been that heavy in the spring, but he's performed well in the limited sample. The 26-year-old right-hander looks set to fill a bullpen role as a multi-inning option this season. He struggled to a 7.39 ERA and 1.84 WHIP over 56 innings last season, but if he carries over his improved control from the spring to the regular season, he should at least enjoy a little more job security.
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Royals' Carlos Hernandez: Takes another loss
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Hernandez (0-5) allowed two runs (one earned) on a hit and a walk in one inning, taking the loss Monday versus the Guardians.
Hernandez was tasked with the top of the 10th inning and faltered allowing a two-run double to Oscar Gonzalez. The Royals got one back in their half of the frame, but ultimately fell short, giving Hernandez his second straight loss. He's allowed four runs (three earned) over his last 2.1 innings. The struggling right-hander continues to put up lackluster number, as he now owns an 8.20 ERA, 1.93 WHIP and 26:25 K:BB through 45 innings across 16 appearances (seven starts).
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Royals' Carlos Hernandez: Dealt fourth loss
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Hernandez (0-4) allowed a run on a hit and a walk in one-third of an inning, taking the loss Friday versus the Tigers.
Hernandez allowed two of the three batters he faced to reach base, and Jose Cuas couldn't prevent the Tigers from scoring the go-ahead run in the seventh inning. Since he was recalled Aug. 13, Hernandez has given up six runs in 10.1 innings across seven appearances. He's struggled as both a starter and a reliever this year with an 8.18 ERA, 1.93 WHIP and 26:24 K:BB across 44 innings through 15 appearances (seven starts). The 25-year-old should be expected to finish 2022 in a low-leverage role.
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Royals' Carlos Hernandez: Optioned to minors
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Hernandez was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Monday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Hernandez was recalled by the Royals on Sunday, but he will head back to Omaha one day later to open up a roster spot for fellow pitcher Daniel Lynch.
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Royals' Carlos Hernandez: Heads back to minors
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Hernandez was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Saturday.
Hernandez was recalled from Omaha on Friday, and he allowed four runs on eight hits and no walks while striking out two in four innings during Friday's loss to the Blue Jays. He'll head back to the minors after Collin Snider was called up Saturday.
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Royals' Carlos Hernandez: Recalled from Triple-A
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Hernandez was recalled from Triple-A Omaha on Friday.
Hernandez made seven starts for the Royals early in the season and posted a 9.10 ERA and 2.16 WHIP in 29.2 innings prior to his demotion in mid-May. He isn't listed among the team's probable starters for the team's weekend series in Toronto so he should be available as a long reliever, as the club is dealing with several absences due to the vaccination requirements in Canada.
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Royals' Carlos Hernandez: Struggles to find zone
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Hernandez allowed three earned runs on five hits and five walks while striking out three across three innings Thursday against the White Sox. He did not factor into the decision.
Hernandez struggled to find the strike zone as he walked two batters in the first inning and an additional three in the third. He managed to effectively work around the free passes, but he allowed four consecutive singles -- two of which didn't leave the infield -- to begin the fourth frame that accounted for two of his earned runs. Hernandez has had disastrous results across his last three starts, surrendering 18 earned runs across 11.2 frames. Overall, he has maintained a 9.10 ERA with a 16:20 K:BB for the season.
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Royals' Carlos Hernandez: Struggles again Saturday
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Hernandez (0-3) took the loss against Colorado on Saturday, allowing nine runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out three batters over four innings.
Hernandez fell behind early and yielded seven runs over his first three innings. Though he pitched a perfect fourth frame, he was pulled after starting the fifth by giving up a walk and a run-scoring double. Hernandez has given up 15 runs over his past two starts to push his season ERA to 9.11. He's in danger of losing his spot in the rotation, but if he gets another chance to smooth things out, it will likely come at home against the White Sox next week.
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Royals' Carlos Hernandez: Gets knocked around in loss
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Hernandez (0-2) was saddled with the loss after surrendering six runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out two across 4.2 innings Monday against the Orioles.
Hernandez cruised through four scoreless frames before running into trouble, allowing all six of his runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Monday's outing was his worst of the young season for the right-hander, who has allowed three or more runs in each of his first five starts. Hernandez will carry a 7.15 ERA and 1.90 WHIP into his next scheduled start, which tentatively lines up for Sunday in Colorado.
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Royals' Carlos Hernandez: Saturday's matchup called off
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Hernandez and the Royals won't play Saturday against the Orioles after the game was postponed due to inclement weather.
The Royals and Blue Jays are already scheduled for a doubleheader Sunday after Friday's matchup was called off, so Saturday's matchup will be made up Monday. Hernandez will take the mound Monday since Daniel Lynch is pitching in Sunday's matinee with Zack Greinke starting in the nightcap, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.
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Royals' Carlos Hernandez: Friday's game postponed
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Hernandez and the Royals won't play against the Orioles on Friday after the game was postponed due to inclement weather, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.
Friday's matchup will be made up as part of a doubleheader Sunday. Hernandez will take the mound Saturday against Baltimore, while Daniel Lynch will take the mound in Sunday's matinee with Zack Greinke pitching in the nightcap. Hernandez has posted a 6.00 ERA and 1.89 WHIP in 18 innings over four starts this season.
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Royals' Carlos Hernandez: Sunday's contest postponed
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Hernandez won't start as scheduled Sunday at Detroit since the game was postponed due to inclement weather, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
The right-hander was penciled in for his second start of the campaign but will now be pushed back. Kansas City has a scheduled off day Monday, and Hernandez figures to take the mound Tuesday against Minnesota, though the Royals haven't officially announced their updated pitching plans.
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Royals' Carlos Hernandez: Yields four runs
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Hernandez allowed four runs on six hits and two walks over 4.1 innings in Monday's loss to Cleveland. He struck out one and did not factor in the decision.
The Guardians jumped on Hernandez early, plating two runs in the first inning. After two scoreless innings, the 25-year-old then coughed up a two-run shot to Oscar Mercado in the fourth. Hernandez posted an ugly 14.73 ERA through 7.1 frames during spring training, so this is a concerning start to the year for the young righty. He's projected to face the Tigers at home this weekend.
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Royals' Carlos Hernandez: Starting season in rotation
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Hernandez will start the Royals' fourth game of the season April 11 versus the Guardians, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Despite a tough pair of appearances so far in spring training, Hernandez is set to begin the year in the rotation. The 25-year-old showed promise in 85.2 innings last season, logging a 6-2 record, 3.68 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 74:41 K:BB across 24 appearances (11 starts). Rogers adds the Royals plans are to roll with a five-man rotation with multiple pitchers stretched out in bullpen roles. Hernandez starting the season in the rotation is encouraging, but he'll have to perform to keep that job.
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Royals' Carlos Hernandez: Struggles versus Giants
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Hernandez allowed six runs (five earned) on six hits and struck out four in 2.2 innings during a loss to the Giants on Wednesday.
Hernandez has gotten rocked through two spring starts, allowing 10 runs (nine earned) over 4.2 innings. That's not great for the 25-year-old, who is far from assured a spot in the rotation given the Royals' mix of established veterans and prospects competing for starting roles. Hernandez would likely need to show some improvement in his next spring start to get an edge over Jackson Kowar, though both of them could be ticketed to the bullpen or Triple-A Omaha if the Royals employ a five-man rotation. Hernandez started 11 of his 24 outings last season, posting a 3.68 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 74:41 K:BB through 85.2 innings.
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Royals' Carlos Hernandez: Blanks Detroit in no-decision
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Hernandez didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 3-1 win over the Tigers, allowing two hits and three walks over five scoreless innings. He struck out one.
The right-hander fought his control, tossing only 51 of 89 pitches for strikes, but after escaping a bases-loaded jam in the first inning, Hernandez settled in before turning things over to the bullpen. The 24-year-old will take a 3.68 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 74:41 K:BB through 85.2 innings into what should be his final appearance of the season next week at home against Cleveland.
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Royals' Carlos Hernandez: Kansas City-Cleveland rained out
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Hernandez and the Royals won't play Wednesday after their game against Cleveland was postponed due to inclement weather.
The two teams will make up the contest on a mutual off day next Monday. The Royals will most likely push all their starters back a day in the schedule as a result of the rainout, so Hernandez's next turn will presumably come Friday in Detroit.
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Royals' Carlos Hernandez: Control issues spoil outing
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Hernandez (6-2) allowed seven earned runs on nine hits and four walks while striking out three across four innings to take the loss Wednesday against the Athletics.
Entering Wednesday's outing, Hernandez had allowed multiple runs in only two of his last eight starts and had completed at least six innings six times in that span. While he allowed only a solo home run and no additional extra-base hits, Hernandez walked four batters -- his highest total since July 24. Control of the strike zone is an emerging concern for Hernandez, as he has now surrendered 10 free passes across his last 16 innings of work. Despite the poor outing and some concerning trends in his skills, Hernandez likely deserves the benefit of the doubt heading into his next start based on his excellent results across the last two months.
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Royals' Carlos Hernandez: Starting Wednesday
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Hernandez is starting Wednesday's game against the Athletics, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
Hernandez was initially scheduled to start Thursday, but he'll be moved up a day since the Royals will shift their rotation plans. The right-hander has earned wins in three of his last four outings and has posted a 1.09 ERA and 0.89 WHIP in 24.2 innings during that time.
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Royals' Carlos Hernandez: Dominates in extended relief outing
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Hernandez hurled 5.2 innings in relief against the Mariners on Friday, allowing an unearned run on one hit and no walks while striking out six. He did not factor in the decision.
The right-hander was originally slated to start Saturday's contest against Seattle, but he was instead called upon in relief Friday after starter Kris Bubic made it through just 4.1 frames. Hernandez was nearly unhittable in his 80-pitch appearance, retiring the first 14 hitters he faced before yielding an unearned run when a single and sacrifice fly plated Seattle's designated runner in the 10th inning. The 24-year-old has surrendered just one earned run while striking out 14 over his past 12.2 frames and will almost certainly rejoin the rotation next week.
