Right-hander Elieser Hernandez rejected an outright assignment from the Brewers after clearing waivers and is now a free agent, per the transaction log at MiLB.com. Milwaukee had designated him for assignment last week.
The 29-year-old Hernandez allowed a pair of runs in six innings with the Brew Crew and also tossed 9 2/3 innings for the Dodgers earlier in the year. He was tagged for nine runs in his time with L.A. and is currently sitting on an unsightly 6.32 ERA in this season’s 15 2/3 frames.
That’s a near-identical match with the 6.35 ERA he logged in 62 1/3 innings with the Marlins during his most recent MLB stint in 2022. Hernandez spent the bulk of the 2023 season on the minor league injured list with the Mets.
While the past few years have been tough, Hernandez looked like an interesting arm with Miami as recently as 2020-21, when he pitched a combined 159 2/3 innings with a 4.45 ERA (4.10 SIERA), a 25.1 percent strikeout rate and a 6.6 percent walk rate.
Home runs have long been an issue, though, as is often the case with relatively undersized right-handers. The 6-foot-0 Hernandez sits in the low 90s with a four-seamer that doesn’t offer premium spin, leaving his primary quite susceptible to extra-base damage. He’s surrendered 73 homers in 303 1/3 career innings (2.17 HR/9).
Hernandez has good command and has regularly missed bats at a high clip with his slider (and, to a lesser extent, his changeup). Opponents have posted a bleak .189/.226/.436 slash against his slider and a .204/.268/.409 line against his changeup in his career. His heater, however, has been pummeled for a .299/.375/.562 line.
Though he’s struggled in the big leagues, Hernandez touts a career 2.87 ERA, 31.7 percent strikeout rate and 6.9 percent walk rate in parts of six Triple-A seasons.
That track record, plus his interesting blend of secondary pitches, could get him another look from a club seeking some additional pitching depth.
Hernandez has a starter’s background and made five starts with the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate this season, though it’s fair to wonder what his repertoire would look like in a full-time bullpen role where his pedestrian fastball velocity might tick up a bit.
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