Dbacks David Hernandez is on the Road to Recovery

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It’s a terrible fact that the Dbacks have been no stranger to Tommy John surgeries. Just ask Daniel Hudson, Bronson Arroyo, and Patrick Corbin. Hudson has been tasked to deal with two surgeries, but has turned himself into more than a feel good story. Corbin is due to come back in the beginning of June for his much anticipated return. This article is about yet another Diamondback pitcher who is on the road to recovery. It’s about David Hernandez.

More than a year ago, Hernandez elected for the surgery and by doing so put himself on the shelf for the near future. Hernandez broke out in the majors back in 2009 with the Baltimore Orioles as a starting pitcher. He went 4-10 with a 5.42 ERA during his rookie campaign. His next season in Baltimore, Hernandez transitioned into a bullpen role and even notched a couple of saves. In the winter of 2010, Arizona acquired him via trade.

Hernandez appeared in 74 games for the Dbacks in 2011. He went 5-3 with a 3.38 ERA and converted on 11 save opportunities. The next season, Hernandez didn’t receive as many save chances but his workload remained the same, appearing in 72 games. That season he experienced his career-best 2.50 ERA. In 2013, Hernandez appeared in 62 contests while his ERA rose to 4.48. We haven’ seen him in a MLB game ever since.

September 10, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher David Hernandez (30) pitches during the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

It appears that Hernandez is finally making his return to the desert. The first stop, however, was a rehab assignment with the Visalia Rawhide. He pitched in two games with the A-level affiliate. In those two games, he pitched a couple of innings while only allowing one hit and striking out three.

The next stop on his journey would take him to Alabama, to continue his rehab assignment with Mobile BayBears. His first game with Mobile saw him pitch a scoreless inning while striking out two. He’s currently still with Mobile, awaiting another appearance with the BayBears before moving on to the next step.

It’s highly speculated that the next step will be his return to the majors. Hernandez could be wearing Sedona Red within a week. The Dbacks Tommy John fraternity is only getting stronger.

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