CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Guardians have signed right-hander Roberto Hernandez, who made five appearances for them at the end of last season before being designated for assignment.
Hernandez signed a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training in February.
Last year Hernandez, 28, pitched for the Phillies and Detroit before signing with the Guardians. Overall, he went 1-0 with a 6.23 ERA in 41 games. He struck out 39, walked 22 and allowed 50 hits in 43 1/3 innings.
Hernandez posted a 3.86 ERA in his five appearances with the Guardians. He allowed three earned runs in seven innings with three strikeouts, three walks and four hits.
The 6-4, 255-pound Hernandez spent his first four seasons in the big leagues with Kansas City from 2020 through 2024. Hernandez’s two busiest seasons with the Royals were in 2021 and 2023.
In 2021, Hernandez went 6-2 with a 3.68 ERA in 24 games, including 11 starts. He struck out 74, walked 41 and allowed 69 hits in 85 2/3 innings.
In 2023, Hernandez went 1-10 with a 5.27 ERA in 67 relief appearances. He allowed 41 earned runs in 70 innings with 77 strikeouts and 31 walks.
Hernandez is a power pitcher. Last season, he threw his fastball, that topped out at 98 mph, 50% of the time. The problem was the opposition hit .375 against it, according to Statcast.
Along with the fastball, Hernandez throws a split-finger fastball and slider about 20% of the time.
The Guardians so far this offseason have invited five players to big-league camp on minor league deals:
Pitchers: Steven Perez and Hernandez.Catchers: Cameron Barstad.Infielders: Dayan Frias.Outfielders: Wuilfredo Antunez.
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