Jonathan Hernandez is back on the Texas Rangers’ active roster
The Texas Rangers have activated pitcher Jonathan Hernandez from the 15 day injured list, per the MLB transactions page. To make room for Hernandez on the active roster, the Rangers have optioned pitcher Owen White to AAA Round Rock. In addition, Sam Huff, who was called up on Saturday when Jonah Heim was placed on the bereavement list, has been optioned to AAA Round Rock.
Hernandez has been on a rehab stint at Round Rock since the beginning of the season. Hernandez was behind schedule in spring training due to his recovery from a right lat strain that had prevented him from being an option for the 2023 playoff roster. Hernandez made eight appearances for Round Rock on the rehab assignment, allowing three runs in ten innings, striking out fourteen and walking four.
Hernandez missed all of 2021 and much of 2022 due to Tommy John surgery. Hernandez started the 2023 season in the majors, but struggled with his consistency, and ultimately was sent down to the minors at the beginning of June, having put up a 6.65 ERA in 25 appearances. Hernandez came back up in mid-September and pitched well, putting up a 2.89 ERA with six scoreless appearances out of seven outings. When Hernandez commands his pitches acceptably, he is a solid relief option.
White was called up in order to give the Rangers an extra arm after Jack Leiter was sent down on April 19, but did not actually appear in a game. He seemed likely to be the odd man out when a pitcher was activated from the injured list. Cody Bradford and Josh Sborz would appear likely to be activated soon, as well, which will bump two more pitchers from the active roster.
Finally, Sam Huff goes back down to AAA without having appeared in either of the two games he was active for. Jonah Heim is expected to be activated from the bereavement list tomorrow, and will take Huff’s place on the active roster.
UPDATE — Huff played the last couple of innings on Saturday, I was just reminded.