Texas Rangers right-hander Jonathan Hernandez (shoulder) was left off the roster for the wild-card series against the Tampa Bay Rays this week due to a shoulder injury. The 27-year-old reliever finished the 2023 regular season strong out of Texas' bullpen, but he was very inconsistent all year and finished with a 1-2 record, 5.40 ERA (4.55 FIP), 1.58 WHIP, 15 walks and 34 strikeouts in 31 2/3 relief innings in his fourth big-league season. The 27-year-old could be ready to return to the team's bullpen if they advance past the Rays and to the American League Division Series.
Texas Rangers relief pitcher Jonathan Hernandez didn't make it easy but did earn his fourth save of the season in Monday's 2-1 win over the Athletics. Hernandez entered to pitch the ninth inning up by one. He got the first out on a groundout, allowed a walk, got the second out on a steal attempt of second base, allowed another walk, and got the final out on a strikeout. Three Rangers have seen save opportunities in the last seven days, but Hernandez has seen the most in that time and has yet to blow a save opportunity this season. He seems to be the lead for save opportunities for the Rangers at the moment and has a solid 2.45 ERA and 8.18 K/9 rate over 11 innings pitched. He is currently rostered in just 16 percent of leagues and is worth a look in all roto leagues for fantasy managers trying to catch up in saves.
Texas Rangers reliever Jonathan Hernandez pitched a clean ninth inning on Saturday to close out the team's 7-4 win over the Mariners. The right-hander needed just 10 pitches to retire the side as he's now collected his third save of the season after missing the first half of the year recovering from Tommy-John Surgery that he underwent last April. He's allowed three earned runs over 10 frames so far in 2022 (2.70 ERA) to go along with a fine 1.10 WHIP while lighting up the radar gun with a fastball that can touch triple-digits. Hernandez appears to be the favored closing option in Texas, and should be scooped up for anyone looking to catch up in the save column.
Texas Rangers relief pitcher Jonathan Hernandez (elbow) threw off a mound on Friday for the first time since having Tommy John surgery last April. Hernandez appeared in relief 27 times for the Rangers in the shortened 2020 season and posted a very nice 2.90 ERA and 1.03 WHIP with 31 K's and eight walks in 31 innings. The 25-year-old won't be ready for the start of the 2022 season, whenever that will be, but he should be ready around midseason, barring any setbacks with his elbow. Joe Barlow is projected to be the Rangers closer as of now, but there is plenty of opportunity in the back end of Texas' bullpen heading into the 2022 campaign.
Texas Rangers right-hander Jonathan Hernandez (elbow) underwent Tommy John reconstructive surgery on his elbow on Monday, less than two weeks after reliever Jose Leclerc had the same procedure. The Rangers bullpen will also be without right-hander Matt Bush until at least July due to injury. Hernandez and Leclerc will be out until at least early next season. Bush will receive an injection on Tuesday for a flexor strain in his right arm and will wait six weeks before a follow-up MRI to determine if he can resume throwing again. Bush will then need another six weeks before he's able to pitch in a game. The 24-year-old Hernandez broke out in 2020 with a 5-1 record and 2.90 ERA in 27 appearances, striking out 31 and walking eight in 31 innings.
Texas Rangers relief pitcher Jonathan Hernandez has a small tear in his UCL and has been shut down for the next four weeks. The team remains hopeful Hernandez can avoid surgery, but it sounds like the best-case scenario would be for Hernandez to return in late May. The 24-year-old righty had a 2.90 ERA last season in 27 appearances, pitching 31 innings and striking out 31 batters. If healthy, Hernandez could have emerged as a solid option in Arlington this year, but this injury news is a huge setback. He can safely be ignored in fantasy drafts.
Jonathan Hernandez Seeks To Remain In Relief For 2021
Texas Rangers right-handed pitcher Jonathan Hernandez has excelled out of relief this season, a role that he has grown so comfortable in that he has informed the organization that he wants to stay in the bullpen for 2021. Having made 113 starts in the Minor Leagues (and two last season for the Rangers), Hernandez has compiled a 2.51 ERA and 2.49 FIP with an 0.94 WHIP across 25 appearances this year. With many of his Statcast metrics ranking off the charts in terms of production, in addition to averaging 97.7 MPH on his sinker, Hernandez should enter 21 as a draftable commodity in deeper season-long leagues with the potential for him to sneak into the closers role should he continue to trend upward.
Texas Rangers reliever Jonathan Hernandez came into Sunday's game and dominated the San Francisco Giants in the late innings. Hernandez pitched two innings and struck out four Giants with one walk given up. He gave up the walk to lead off the eighth inning but came back with back-to-back-to-back swinging strikeouts of Pablo Sandoval, Chadwick Tromp, and Brandon Crawford. Jose Leclerc was placed on the 45-day injured list earlier this week, and it remains to be seen who the Rangers use as their closer while Leclerc is on the mend. Hernandez made a strong case on Sunday that his name should be in the mix when the next opportunity comes along.