Detroit Tigers’ Javier Baez talks Chicago Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong
Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Báez talks to reporters June 2, 2025, about playing for MLB’s best team, his career resurgence, Pete Crow-Armstrong.
Carlos Hernández was signing the final papers on his new home in Miami when he received a phone call informing him he would be joining the Detroit Tigers.
The Tigers claimed Hernández — a right-handed reliever with a 4.98 ERA in his six-year MLB career — off waivers Monday, June 16, from the Philadelphia Phillies. The 28-year-old doesn’t have any minor league options remaining, so he immediately joined the Tigers in the big leagues.
Hernández is the newest pitching project for the Tigers.
“We’re happy to get him,” manager A.J. Hinch said Tuesday, June 17, ahead of Hernández’s first game on the active roster. “We’ll take a shot at untapping a lot of what he does well. It’s a power fastball. He’s got pretty good secondary pitches. He’s had a hard time maintaining consistency, which is what’s made him available. But he’s really intriguing with what he brings to the table.”
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In 2025, Hernández posted a 5.26 ERA with 13 walks and 23 strikeouts across 25⅔ innings in 25 relief appearances for the Phillies. Even worse, his 1.753 WHIP ranks 188th among 195 relievers with at least 20 innings this season. His 10.6% walk rate ranks in the 21st percentile, while his 18.7% strikeout rate ranks in the 27th percentile.
The Tigers are aware of the struggles.
They also see potential.
“We met with him and talked about a few adjustments that we’d like him to make to untap some more consistency, but the stuff plays,” Hinch said of Hernández, who spent his first five seasons with the Kansas City Royals before the Phillies claimed him off waivers in March. “We’re hoping we can lock him in the strike zone with a power fastball and a couple of secondary pitches to get some outs.”
Hernández averages 97.8 mph with his four-seam fastball, maxing out at 100.6 mph.
His slider generates a 35.6% whiff rate.
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His splitter misses bats at a 46.4% clip.
To improve, Hernández is determined to work closely with pitching coaches Chris Fetter, Robin Lund and Juan Nieves. He is willing to accept coaching — and make adjustments.
“It’s going to be key for me to keep working hard and staying in consistent communication with the coaches,” Hernández said in Spanish, interpreted by a team employee. “I mean, they’re here to help us, and they’re here to push us to be our best, and they’re here for a reason.”
Hernández primarily pitched in lower-leverage situations out of the bullpen for the Royals and Phillies, following a failed opportunity as a starter at the beginning of his career. He has spent more time working in the sixth and seventh inning in recent years, at least compared to the eighth and ninth innings.
All four of his saves occurred in 2023 with the Royals.
“You have to prepare yourself to perform the way everybody expects,” Hernández said. “Who would say no to coming into the game in a clutch situation when there’s a lot of adrenaline in a key moment for the game? Of course, you got to be prepared for that. I’m looking forward to that.”
Hernández hasn’t developed into a high-leverage reliever, but he has the potential to do so.
That’s what he hopes to accomplish with the Tigers.
“I just want to do my best and do everything I can to help this team keep winning,” Hernández said. “I want to be a clutch or a key part of this team to help them win and keep inning. It’s the best team in Major League Baseball. That’s for a reason. I want to be a part of this.”
Alex Lange starts rehab assignment
Right-handed reliever Alex Lange started his rehab assignment Tuesday with High-A West Michigan, completing one inning on 13 pitches. It was his first time pitching in a competitive game since June 14, 2024, in Triple-A Toledo — 368 days ago.
Since then, Lange has been injured.
“He was super excited,” Hinch said. “He came through here to get his stuff, and then he hopped in a car and drove over (to West Michigan). He’s been pretty eager.”
The 29-year-old is recovering from a surgery that repaired an avulsion in his right latissimus dorsi tendon — a muscle that impacts shoulder movement.
It has been a long rehab process.
“This is an injury we described that we were going to have to be pretty patient,” Hinch said. “That is not always easy for relievers in general — certainly a guy with Alex’s mentality. He pushes the pedal to the floor. We’ve had to methodically get him to this point. He’s eager to get out there.”
Lange will pitch at least two games for the Whitecaps before the Tigers transfer his rehab assignment to Triple-A Toledo. Pitchers are limited to 30 days on rehab assignment. By July 17, Lange will need to be recalled to the Tigers or optioned to Triple-A Toledo.
“If I know him, he’s going to give every single thing he has to tonight’s outing,” Hinch said. “Not just get on the mound and be happy and ease into it. He’s going to look like Alex Lange.”
Matt Vierling update
Outfielder/third baseman Matt Vierling (right shoulder inflammation) completed throwing drills before Tuesday’s game, doing so in front of coaches and trainers. The 28-year-old is expected to complete his throwing progression, then return to his rehab assignment in Triple-A Toledo later in the week.
He has played two games on his latest rehab assignment, only serving as the designated hitter.
Vierling needs to be activated by July 3.
#Tigers medical update: Jackson Jobe underwent ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction surgery in his right elbow, performed Monday by Dr. Keith Meister.
– Alex Lange (right lat repair) is beginning a rehab assignment with High-A West Michigan. pic.twitter.com/vmu6B99WL1
— Evan Petzold (@EvanPetzold) June 17, 2025
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
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