Jose Hernandez Surprises With Opening Day Save
Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Jose Hernandez collected a surprising Opening Day save in Thursday's 6-5 extra-inning win over the Miami Marlins, throwing a clean 12th inning to slam the door in extras. Just recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis earlier in the day, Hernandez tallied his first career save in this one. With David Bednar (lat) unavailable out of Pittsburgh's bullpen, the Pirates used Aroldis Chapman in the ninth inning, Luis L. Ortiz in the 10th and 11th frames, and Hernandez in the 12th. With that said, fantasy managers shouldn't expect Hernandez to get much high-leverage work once Bednar is ready to pitch again, so the 26-year-old Dominican left-hander looks like a bit of a fool's gold pickup on waiver wires. Chapman would be the favorite for saves if Bednar misses time beyond Opening Day. Hernandez managed a pedestrian 4.97 ERA (4.48 FIP), 1.36 WHIP, and 62:22 K:BB through 50 2/3 frames last year.
Mar 29
