*Photo from CBS Sports*
The Atlanta Braves have signed RHP Felix Hernandez to a minor league deal, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network. The deal includes a non roster invite to spring training and will pay Hernandez $1 million. Hernandez has spent his entire 15 year career with the Seattle Mariners. He isn't guaranteed a roster spot, but he'll be fighting for the 5th spot in the Braves starting rotation.
Hernandez has been plagued by injuries in recent years, suffering right shoulder inflammation in 2017 and missed 3 months in 2019 with a right shoulder strain. Hernandez has had a string of subpar seasons, and was briefly moved to Seattle's bullpen in 2018. Hernandez had a bad 2019, going just 1-8 with a ballooned 6.40 ERA with 57 strikeouts in 15 starts. His best years were in between 2008 and 2015, in which he went 113-76 with a 2.90 ERA while throwing over 200 innings each of those years. He is also a 6 time all star.
Hernandez is the last MLB pitcher to throw a perfect game. He threw it on August 15, 2012 against the Tampa Bay Rays. The Braves rotation currently consists of Cole Hamels, Max Fried, Mike Foltynewicz, Mike Soroka, and Sean Newcomb, though Newcomb could always be moved to the bullpen, like last year. Newcomb had a decent year out of the bullpen in 2019. If Hernandez makes the Braves roster, circle the weekend of May 29-31 on the calendar, when the Braves take on the Mariners in Seattle, which would make for a king's welcome home for Hernandez.
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