The Milwaukee Brewers claimed relief pitcher Ariel Hernandez off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday. Hernandez was designated for assignment last week in order to create room for the acquisition of John Axford.
Had Hernandez not been claimed, it’s plausible he would’ve remained in the organization and sent outright to the Minors. The Dodgers traded for Hernandez in April, sending Zach Neal and Ibandel Isabel to the Cincinnati Reds. Los Angeles seemingly took a gamble on Hernandez’s upside and velocity.
Hernandez bounced back and forth between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City, going a combined 4-2 with five saves, a 2.70 ERA, 29 walks and 46 strikeouts. Opponents hit .212/.340/.303 off the right-hander.
Hernandez made his MLB debut with the Reds in 2017, appearing in 19 games. He pitched to a 5.18 ERA, with 22 walks and 29 strikeouts in 24.1 innings pitched.
Although Hernandez was added to the Brewers’ 40-man roster, the club immediately optioned him to Triple-A Colorado Springs. Thus, making it unclear when the 26-year-old might next pitch in the Majors.
As for Axford, he had a forgetful debut with the Dodgers. Following the poor showing, which Axford deemed the worst of his career, he maintained better efforts were ahead.
