Jonathan Hernández didn’t have to wait long to find a job.
One day after the right-handed pitcher was released from his minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, Hernández signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Dodgers immediately activated Hernández in advance of their series opener against the San Diego Padres.
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It’s a surprising, sudden return to the big leagues for a pitcher who hasn’t appeared in an MLB game since August 2024.
Hernández, 29, was released after making 13 appearances for Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He was 1-0 with an 4.80 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 15 innings.
Since his MLB debut in 2019, Hernández has appeared in parts of five seasons with the Texas Rangers (2019-24) and Seattle Mariners (2024), going 13-8 with a 4.29 ERA and 150 strikeouts in 153 innings. He was originally signed on January 30, 2013 by the Rangers out of college.
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Hernández spent the 2025 season in the Tampa Bay Rays organization, going 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA in 12 games for Triple-A Durham.
To make room for Hernández on their active roster, the Dodgers optioned reliever Chayce McDermott to Triple-A Oklahoma City. In order to make room on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers transferred right-handed pitcher Ben Casparius to the 60-day injured list.
The Dodgers lead the Padres by a half-game in the National League West standings.
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If he gets into a game during this series, Hernández will become the 23rd different pitcher (not including utility infielder Miguel Rojas) to throw a pitch for them this season.
The Dodgers are notorious for rotating through low-leverage relief pitchers liberally while giving their highest-leverage relievers plenty of time off during the regular season.
Casparius, Jack Dreyer, Brock Stewart and Edwin Díaz are all on the IL currently. So is Brusdar Graterol, who hasn’t thrown a pitch this season.
It is rare, though not without precedent, for a midseason pickup to become a fixture in the Dodgers’ bullpen rotation. Hernández could use the opportunity to revive his career.
