Rangers' Jonathan Hernandez: Throws scoreless inning
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Hernandez allowed two hits and struck out two over a scoreless inning in Monday's 6-4 loss to the Pirates.
Hernandez finished the game following another Texas bullpen meltdown. The fact Hernandez wasn't one of the culprits gives the club a sliver of hope he's getting over a recent stretch of poor results. Expected to be an eighth-inning bridge, Hernandez had allowed eight runs (three home runs) over his last 1.2 innings. This was the second consecutive outing in which he did not pitch in a high-leverage situation.
Hernandez (0-1) allowed two runs on two hits and did not retire a batter, picking up his first loss in Wednesday's game against the Reds.
Texas was swept by Cincinnati in a series that featured shaky bullpen performances. The relief crew had been strong for the Rangers, but on three consecutive days, several members of the group allowed the Reds to take leads in the eighth inning or later, including two walkoff wins. Hernandez entered the day with a 1.80 ERA over his first 10 outings before Nick Senzel's game-ending, two-run home run.
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Rangers' Jonathan Hernandez: Provides relief in win
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Hernandez allowed one walk and struck out two over two-thirds of an inning in Sunday's 9-1 win over the Astros.
While the final score indicates a blowout, Hernandez and Will Smith provided expert high-leverage relief work in the seventh inning, as Houston loaded the bases with none out and Texas leading, 6-0. Hernandez struck out Martin Maldonado and Mauricio Dubon before walking in a run. It wasn't officially a hold, but it felt like one. Hernandez has allowed two runs, three hits and three walks while striking out eight over six innings. The right-hander will continue to pitch in late-game scenarios and could get an occasional save chance.
Rangers' Jonathan Hernandez: Could be in closer mix
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Rangers GM Chris Young said Saturday that Hernandez "could be a closer" for the club in 2023, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.
Jose Leclerc, who finished 2022 as Texas' closer, is likely the current frontrunner for the job and was the first of many names mentioned by Young, but Hernandez was the next man brought up by the new GM. Hernandez returned from a lengthy absence last season after he underwent Tommy John surgery in 2021 and had a 2.97 ERA with four saves across 30.1 innings, but he struggled with his command at times and had a 13.0 percent walk rate. The right-hander may not open 2023 as the Rangers' primary closer, but Hernandez should have a high-leverage role and is likely to receive some save chances at some point.
Rangers' Jonathan Hernandez: Settles at $1.275 million
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Hernandez signed a one-year, $1.275 million contract with the Rangers on Friday to avoid arbitration, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Recovery from a Tommy John procedure in April 2021 kept Hernandez from playing last season until mid-July, but he was effective after he returned. In 30.1 innings, he recorded a 2.97 ERA and 1.42 WHIP -- good enough to keep him in a setup role to start 2023.
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Rangers' Jonathan Hernandez: Implodes for blown save
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Hernandez (1-1) blew the save and took the loss against the Red Sox on Thursday, allowing four runs on four hits and three walks while recording only one out (on a strikeout).
The Rangers carried a three-run lead into the ninth inning, and they turned to Hernandez to slam the door. The righty reliever clearly didn't have his best stuff, as he threw only 14 of 26 pitches for strikes and walked the first two batters he faced. Boston followed with a pair of hits to plate two runs, and after Hernandez struck out J.D. Martinez and issued an intentional walk to Christian Arroyo, two more Red Sox hits plated the tying and winning runs. Hernandez entered the contest with a 1.69 ERA, but that number ballooned to 3.86 following his first loss and first blown save of the campaign.
Hernandez struck out one over a scoreless eighth inning to earn a hold in Friday's 7-6 win over the Tigers.
Hernandez has been the primary closer for the Rangers since late July, but interim manager Tony Beasley had the right-hander pitch the eighth inning in what was heading to be a save situation -- the Rangers were leading 7-4. Instead, Beasley left the ninth inning for Jose Leclerc, who allowed a pair runs while converting the save. It was the second time this week that Beasley skipped Hernandez for a save -- Matt Moore closed out a win Monday.
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Rangers' Jonathan Hernandez: Picks up extra-inning win
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Hernandez (1-0) earned the extra-inning win Saturday over the Twins. He allowed an unearned run on a hit and a walk while striking out one over two innings.
Hernandez was kept in the game for the 10th inning after pitching a scoreless ninth. The right-hander walked Carlos Correa, got two outs, allowed a run to score on an error and then got Jose Miranda to fly out to end the threat. This was Hernandez's first win in 12 appearances this year, and he's maintained a 2.08 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 11:5 K:BB through 12 innings. He's functioned as the head of the Rangers' closer committee with Joe Barlow (finger) out -- Hernandez has four saves, all since July 31, and Jose Leclerc is the only other reliever on the team to log a save in that span.
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Rangers' Jonathan Hernandez: Earns fourth save Monday
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Hernandez picked up the save in Monday's 2-1 win over the Athletics. He threw a perfect inning with two strikeouts.
The 26-year-old has emerged as the top option for the Rangers in the ninth inning with Joe Barlow and Dennis Santana on the shelf and Brett Martin failing to get the job done. Hernandez has recorded four saves since July 31 and owns a healthy 2.45 ERA in 11 innings this season. Hernandez should continue to be the top option to close out games for Texas as long as the bullpen remains hampered, and perhaps beyond.
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Rangers' Jonathan Hernandez: Shuts door for third save
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Hernandez pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn the save in a 7-4 victory over the Mariners on Saturday.
Hernandez continues to look good as the Texas closer. He now has three saves since July 31 and has pitched well this season with a 1.10 WHIP over 10 appearances. Rangers manager Chris Woodward will likely keep handing him the ball as long as he remains effective, although former closer Joe Barlow (finger) could be a factor again once he's activated from the IL.
Hernandez saved Thursday's 3-2 win against the White Sox, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning.
Hernandez received a second straight save chance and delivered again with a stress-free outing. The 26-year-old has recorded saves in two of his last three appearances with five strikeouts across the outings and appears to be the new favorite to close games for Texas. He features a 2.57 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with seven strikeouts in seven innings.
