Player Outlook
Carlos Hernandez worked as a reliever in 2023, making a career-high 67 appearances while getting plenty of high-leverage looks. The 6-foot-4, 250-pound righty racked up 17 holds and four saves for the Royals, but the quality of his innings was lackluster despite adding velocity to his fastball that he threw 99.1 mph on average. He posted an ERA over 5.00 for the second consecutive year along with a 1.33 WHIP that was a bottom-50 mark among relief pitchers. The 26-year-old particularly struggled down the stretch, with a 12.91 ERA in September and more walks issued (nine) than strikeouts (four). Hernandez's inflated ratios make him hard to trust for fantasy purposes, but he could still be worth a late-round gamble considering his strikeout and walk rates are trending in the right direction.

Fantasy Stats

Year fpts
Fantasy Points
fpts/g
Fantasy Points per Game
ip
Innings Pitched
w
Wins
l
Losses
sv
Saves
so
Strikeouts
bb
Base on Balls (Walk)
era
Earned Run Average
whip
Walks and Hits Allowed Per Inning
2024 0.00 0.00
2023 98.51.5 70.0 1 10 4 77 31 5.27 1.33
2022 10.50.4 56.0 5 35 31 7.39 1.84
3y Avg. 952.4 70.7 2 6 1 62 34 5.22 1.44
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Fantasy News

  • Royals' Carlos Hernandez: Light bullpen session this weekend

    Hernandez (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a light bullpen session this weekend, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports. Hernandez has been playing catch the last few days and will do so again Tuesday before progressing to some mound work shortly thereafter. The Royals have not ruled the reliever out for Opening Day yet, but it seems unlikely that he'll have time to ramp things back up by then.
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  • Royals' Carlos Hernandez: Begins throwing progression

    Hernandez (shoulder) played catch over the weekend and will do so again Monday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports. Hernandez was shut down from throwing after a cortisone injection in late February. He's now beginning to ramp up again, though it still seems likely he'll have to miss part of the regular season. Hernandez is likely to join the Royals' bullpen once he's up to speed.
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  • Royals' Carlos Hernandez: Shut down from throwing

    Hernandez (shoulder) received a cortisone injection Tuesday and has been shut down from throwing, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports. The right-hander threw a bullpen session Saturday, but his sore right shoulder didn't respond well after resting for the previous two weeks. It's unclear when Hernandez will resume throwing, but his availability for Opening Day is now very much in question.
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  • Royals' Carlos Hernandez: Throws bullpen session

    Hernandez (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Saturday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports. Saturday's session marked the first time Hernandez has thrown off a mound in two weeks as he works his way back from right shoulder soreness. The Royals kept the intensity relatively low to begin with, and Hernandez will require several more mound sessions before potentially returning to play in spring training games.
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  • Royals' Carlos Hernandez: Recovering from sore shoulder

    Hernandez hasn't thrown off a mound in two weeks because of right shoulder soreness, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports. The good news is that Hernandez is expected to be cleared for a bullpen session soon and should still be able to get in enough work before the end of spring training. The hard-throwing right-hander had a terrific first half and dreadful second half in 2023 and will be trying to work his way back into high-leverage appearances.
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  • Royals' Carlos Hernandez: Grabs fourth save

    Hernandez picked up the save in Tuesday's 11-10 victory over the White Sox. He allowed one run on a hit and a walk while striking out one over one inning. Hernandez allowed a run for a fourth straight appearance, though he'd manage to hang on to a one-run lead Tuesday, earning his fourth save. It's been a tough run for Hernandez, who's allowed six runs in his last 2.2 innings while blowing two saves in that span. His ERA is up to 4.87 with a 1.21 WHIP and 75:26 K:BB this season. While Hernandez should still see high-leverage work in Kansas City, it's hard to trust him for fantasy purposes.
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  • Royals' Carlos Hernandez: Takes 10th loss

    Hernandez (1-10) allowed three runs on two hits and two walks over one-third of an inning, taking the loss and a blown save Friday versus the Blue Jays. Austin Cox started the eighth inning but sustained a left knee injury after facing two batters. Hernandez proceeded to allow an inherited runner to score before getting tagged for three runs himself. He has three blown saves and two saves over his last seven appearances, a span in which he's allowed six runs over six innings. He's at a 4.81 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 74:25 K:BB with three saves, 12 holds and five blown saves through 63.2 innings this season. Hernandez should continue to see high-leverage looks, but the quality of his performance of late puts him on the fantasy fringe.
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  • Royals' Carlos Hernandez: Takes blown save, loss

    Hernandez (1-9) allowed a run on a two hits over one-third of an inning, taking the loss and a blown save Tuesday versus the Pirates. Austin Cox left a man on base in the eighth inning and Hernandez surrendered a two-run home run to Ke'Bryan Hayes. Hernandez's uneven August -- 8.68 ERA, 1.93 WHIP, 2-for-4 in save chances -- has prevented him from outright claiming the closer role that opened up when Scott Barlow was traded to San Diego. Hernandez has a 4.33 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 73:22 K:BB through 62.1 innings overall while adding three saves, 12 holds and four blown saves this season.
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  • Royals' Carlos Hernandez: Notches five-out save

    Hernandez picked up the save in Wednesday's 4-0 win over Oakland, striking out one over 1.2 scoreless innings. Hernandez was able to strand the bases loaded after coming on with one out in the eighth inning before closing out the A's in the ninth to earn his third save. The 26-year-old Hernandez has now converted his last two save chances after allowing three runs in his previous two appearances (1.1 innings). He now sports a 4.28 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 73:21 K:BB across 61 innings this season. Hernandez should see the majority of closing chances going forward in Kansas City, though the left-handed Austin Cox could see opportunities as well, depending on matchups.
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  • Royals' Carlos Hernandez: Handed eighth loss

    Hernandez (1-8) allowed a run on one hit over two-thirds of an inning to take the loss and a blown save Thursday versus the Mariners. He did not strike out or walk a batter. Taylor Hearn was called upon to protect a two-run lead in the eighth inning, but he put two of the three batters he faced on base. Hernandez relieved him and immediately gave up a three-run moonshot to Julio Rodriguez. Hernandez has allowed nine runs (eight earned) over 5.1 innings in August, and he has two holds and a blown save without converting a save chance this month. He has one save, 12 holds, a 4.47 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 70:20 K:BB through 58.1 innings this year. Should the Royals have any leads to protect down the stretch, it's likely the save chances will be distributed on a committee basis.
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  • Royals' Carlos Hernandez: Gives up walk-off grand slam

    Hernandez (1-7) took the loss Monday versus the Red Sox, allowing four runs on two hits and two walks with one strikeout in two-thirds of an inning. Hernandez was brought in to keep the game tied at 2-2 in the bottom of the ninth inning, but instead loaded the bases. Pablo Reyes unloaded them with a walk-off grand slam. Hernandez gave up just two runs over 13.1 innings in July, but he's already surrendered six runs in 2.2 innings in August. He's now at a 4.20 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 66:19 K:BB through 55.2 innings this season. Hernandez is still likely to see most of the Royals' save chances, but on a team that doesn't win much, he can't be counted on for a steady stream of saves.
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  • Royals' Carlos Hernandez: Picks up first win

    Hernandez (1-6) allowed two runs (one earned) on a hit and a walk while striking out two over one inning to earn the extra-inning win Tuesday over the Mets. Hernandez didn't pitch well in the 10th inning, giving up a two-run home run to Francisco Alvarez. The Royals were able to rally back and get a walk-off balk for the win. Hernandez is now in the driver's seat to be the Royals' closer after Scott Barlow was dealt to San Diego earlier Tuesday. Hernandez has a mediocre 3.67 ERA, but a 1.00 WHIP and 65:16 K:BB over 54 innings suggest he has the stuff to handle late-inning assignments. There won't be a lot of save chances while pitching for a last-place team, but he's worth a speculative add in fantasy on the strikeout upside alone.
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  • Royals' Carlos Hernandez: Picks up save Sunday

    Hernandez secured his first-career save Sunday in a 2-1 win over the Twins. He did not allow a hit, but did walk a batter and struck out two. Hernandez was called upon to close out the game in the ninth with Scott Barlow presumably unavailable after throwing 41 pitches over the last two days. Hernandez has now recorded three holds and a save while tossing four shutout innings in his last four appearances. He's a prime candidate to take over the Royals' closing duties if Barlow were to get dealt to a contending team before the deadline. Hernandez is putting up career-best numbers thus far, posting a 3.57 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 63:15 K:BB in 53 innings.
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  • Royals' Carlos Hernandez: Takes sixth loss

    Hernandez (0-6) allowed a run on one hit and struck out one over one inning to take the loss Saturday versus the Yankees. Hernandez has allowed two runs over 9.1 innings in July, but both instances led to him taking losses. His mistake Saturday resulted in a solo home run by DJ LeMahieu in the seventh inning. Hernandez has a solid 3.86 ERA for the season, but his 1.02 WHIP and 57:13 K:BB through 49 innings suggests he's gotten a little unlucky. He's added seven holds and two blown saves while often seeing high-leverage spots.
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  • Royals' Carlos Hernandez: Handed loss in nightcap

    Hernandez (0-5) took the loss in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader versus the Rays, allowing a run on two hits while striking out one in one inning. The Rays took the lead on a Luke Raley RBI single in the eighth inning, sticking Hernandez with his first decision since June 12. After some troubles in early June, the right-hander has settled down, allowing three runs (two earned) over his last 13.1 innings. He's at a 3.94 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 52:12 K:BB with five holds through 45.2 innings this season. Hernandez could be an option to take over the closer role if the Royals trade Scott Barlow before the deadline, though save chances on a last-place team are likely to remain sparse.
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  • Royals' Carlos Hernandez: Opening versus O's on Sunday

    Hernandez will serve as the opening pitcher against the Orioles on Sunday, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports. Hernandez will get the start, and Mike Mayers is expected to receive the bulk innings, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports. Hernandez will likely only go a couple of innings at most, so he won't have the counting stats -- nor the chance to pick up a decision -- against Baltimore on Sunday.
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  • Royals' Carlos Hernandez: Set to open Monday

    Hernandez (thumb) will start Monday's game against the Marlins, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports. Hernandez exited Friday's game after a callus on his thumb opened up, but he'll return to the mound Monday in Miami to serve as Kansas City's opener. The 26-year-old has a 4.76 ERA across 28.1 innings this season and should cover a frame or two before giving way to bulk pitcher Mike Mayers.
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  • Royals' Carlos Hernandez: Leaves with apparent injury

    Hernandez left Friday's game against the Rockies with an apparent injury, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports. Hernandez allowed four runs while getting just one out before leaving the game, with Nick Wittgren taking over on the mound. The nature or severity of Hernandez's injury isn't yet clear.
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  • Royals' Carlos Hernandez: Strikes out four as opener

    Hernandez allowed two hits and struck out four over two scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Padres on Wednesday. Hernandez has kept runs off the board in five of his seven appearances in May, including this turn as an opener. The right-hander hasn't had much success at the major-league level, but he's been more effective as a reliever this season. He has a 4.09 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 28:8 K:BB through 22 innings while adding an 0-1 record, three holds and a blown save in 19 appearances.
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  • Royals' Carlos Hernandez: Set for spot start

    Hernandez will start Wednesday's game versus the Padres, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports. The specifics of the Royals' pitching plan were not revealed, but Hernandez last pitched Saturday, so he's unlikely to be available for more than three innings. He's been a full-time reliever this season after coming up through the minors as a starter. Hernandez owns a 4.50 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 24:8 K:BB over 20 innings across 18 relief outings in 2023. With Daniel Lynch (shoulder) a possibility to return next week, Hernandez is unlikely to get more than one turn as a starter.
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