Dodgers signs ex-Phillies pitcher after opting out of contract

The Los Angeles Dodgers added an extra pitcher just one day after luring Eric Lauer in via trade. This new arm arrives via the Philadelphia Phillies, though.

Dodgers insider for The Athletic Fabian Ardaya revealed Monday evening who’s coming to Los Angeles.

“Source: Dodgers signed RHP Jonathan Hernández, who opted out of his Phillies deal yesterday. Another fresh arm for the bullpen shuffle,” Ardaya posted on the social media website X, formerly Twitter.

The 29-year-old right hander Hernandez helped persuade a corresponding move for LA: The Dodgers chose to option Chayce McDermott in order to make room for him. But one other decision came to sweeten Hernandez’s LA arrival.

“In order to make room on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers transferred RHP Ben Casparius to the 60-day injured list,” the franchise announced.

The Dodgers’ offense is humming again amid the pitching injuries. But now manager Dave Roberts adds a pitcher who’s become a journeyman.

Hernandez didn’t make his official MLB debut until the 2019 season. The native of Memphis had stints with the Dominican Summer League Rangers and Arizona Rangers of the Rookie-level Arizona League. He also played for the Hickory Crawdads of the Single-A South Atlantic League.

He produced an ERA of 4.32 during his nine appearances on the mound in 2019. Hernandez lowered it to 2.90 while striking out 31 batters during the truncated 2020 season. He later missed 2021 following Tommy John surgery.

LA brings a past World Series winner here too, as Hernandez played for the Rangers’ 2023 championship team. The Seattle Mariners and Tampa Bay Rays became his next two stops before his brief Phillies stint.

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