The Los Angeles Dodgers have strengthened their pitching depth by signing veteran right-handed reliever according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. The move comes shortly after Hernández opted out of his minor-league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday, making him a free agent and quickly landing him a new opportunity in Los Angeles.
Hernández, 29, brings both major league experience and bullpen versatility to a Dodgers team that has been dealing with early-season pitching injuries and constant roster adjustments. His addition is part of a broader effort by Los Angeles to reinforce its pitching staff with experienced arms capable of stepping in when needed.
Originally signed as an international free agent by the Texas Rangers in 2013, Hernández developed steadily through the minor leagues and eventually became one of the organization’s more promising pitching prospects. By 2016, he had earned a spot among the Rangers’ top 30 prospects and made his MLB debut in 2019.
His rookie season included nine appearances, where he posted a 4.32 ERA over 16.2 innings. However, it was in 2020 that Hernández truly emerged as a key bullpen arm. During that shortened season, he recorded a strong 2.90 ERA across 31 innings while striking out 31 batters and issuing just eight walks, showing flashes of high-leverage potential.
Unfortunately, his progress was interrupted in 2021 when he missed the entire season due to Tommy John surgery. After a lengthy recovery, he returned in 2022 and performed well again, putting up a 2.97 ERA over 30.1 innings in 29 appearances, suggesting he was regaining form.
Since then, however, Hernández has struggled to maintain consistency at the major league level. In 2023 with Texas — the same year the Rangers captured the World Series title — he posted a 5.40 ERA over 31.2 innings and did not appear in the postseason. His struggles continued into 2024, when he again recorded a 5.40 ERA across 41 innings between the Rangers and a brief stint with the Seattle Mariners after being designated for assignment and claimed off waivers.
After failing to secure a long-term MLB role, Hernández spent time in the minors, including a stint with the Tampa Bay Rays organization in 2024 and later signing a minor-league deal with Philadelphia in 2025. While with the Phillies’ Triple-A affiliate this season, he posted a 4.80 ERA over 15 innings with 22 strikeouts and eight walks, showing flashes of swing-and-miss ability but still battling command issues.
Across his MLB career, Hernández has appeared in 127 games, recording a 4.29 ERA with 150 strikeouts over 153 innings. His pitch mix typically features a mid-to-upper 90s sinker and a sharp slider, both of which have been effective at times in generating ground balls and misses when he is at his best.
For the Dodgers, Hernández represents a low-risk depth addition as the team continues to manage injuries and evaluate bullpen options. While he is not expected to immediately join the major league roster, he will likely report to Triple-A Oklahoma City and serve as a potential call-up option if the Dodgers need additional relief help during the season.
Los Angeles has been active in bolstering its pitching staff, recently acquiring left-hander Eric Lauer in a trade with Toronto. With multiple bullpen additions in a short span, the Dodgers are clearly focused on building depth and flexibility as they navigate the demands of the season.
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