Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Carlos Hernández is not going to spend much time with the team. Hernández was claimed off waivers by the Phillies on March 23. The Kansas City Royals had put Hernández on waivers because he was not going to be on their opening day roster and he is out of minor league options. Hernández had a 6.97 ERA and a 6.44 FIP in eight spring training outings for the Royals. Tyler Phillips was designated for assignment to make room for Hernández on the Phillies 40-man roster. Phillips is also out of minor league options and had a rough spring training. Phillips had a 7.59 ERA and a 4.58 FIP in seven spring training appearances. The Phillies currently have a full 40-man roster.
Temporary Rotation Adjustment Due To Injury
Ranger Suárez starting the season on the injured list opened the door for Hernández to be on the team. Taijuan Walker will begin the season in the rotation as a result. Hernández took the bullpen spot that was already open. The length of time Suárez is out will dictate a lot. Walker will make at least one start and quite possibly two starts at a minimum. Unless something changes Hernández will be designated for assignment when Suárez returns from the injured list. Hernández being out of options makes this waiver claim decision by the Phillies odd. Multiple pitchers who were competing for the bullpen role have minor league options available. The team also could have kept Phillips on the 26-man roster until Suárez comes back.
Insisting On Keeping Struggling Pitcher
The Phillies made their decision about Walker before Suárez got injured seemingly. Walker should have already been traded or released by the team. However, the two years and $36 million dollars left on Walker’s contract seems to have deterred the Phillies from making a needed move. Walker had a 7.41 ERA and a 8.44 FIP in five spring training games. Additionally, Walker had an abysmal 1.33 strikeout-to-walk rate, and a 3.18 HR/9 rate this spring. Opposing batters had a .342 average against Walker during spring training. Walker had a 7.10 ERA and a 6.94 FIP in 19 games last season. In 2024 Walker had a 1.57 strikeout-to-walk rate and a 2.58 HR/9 rate. It is clear the Phillies and Walker need to part ways. However, the team refuses to move on from Walker.
Alternative Options The Team Had
While Hernández has a 4.95 ERA and a 4.45 FIP in his major league career the move does not make much sense for the Phillies. If Hernández had minor league options remaining it would have made more sense to claim him off of waivers. Hernández had a respectable 3.30 ERA and a 3.50 FIP last season in 27 appearances. In 2024 Hernández had a 1.69 strikeout-to-walk rate along with a 0.30 HR/9 rate. Hernández had a 1.60 strikeout-to-walk rate, and a 1.74 HR/9 rate this spring. While Hernández can help the Phillies fill a void there were better options. Max Lazar, Michael Mercado or Alan Rangel could have filled the role. All three are on the Phillies 40-man roster and have minor league options. The team also could have acquired a pitcher with options.
Main Photo Credits: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
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