The Guardians will select right-hander Carlos Hernández onto their major league roster tomorrow, according to reports from Guardians Prospective and El Extrabase. Cleveland has had an opening on the 40-man roster since they designated Gabriel Arias for assignment at the beginning of August. Guardians Prospective reports that utilityman Daniel Schneemann will be recalled from Triple-A Columbus to take the other spot with September roster expansion.
Hernández, 29, has been in the organization on a minor league deal. He spent the first half of the season on the injured list. Hernández was reportedly involved in a serious car accident in January in his native Venezuela that resulted in fractures to his left arm and right leg (link via Joe Noga of Cleveland.com). He returned to game action on a rehab assignment at the complex in early July and reported to Columbus shortly after the All-Star Break.
The 6’4″, 255-pound Hernández has made 12 Triple-A appearances. He has allowed eight runs across 13 1/3 innings but has struck out 20 of 57 opponents. Hernández is averaging 96.4 mph on his four-seam fastball while throwing a splitter and slider.
A veteran of parts of six MLB seasons, Hernández has spent most of his career with the Royals. He split the 2025 campaign between the Phillies, Tigers and Guardians. Hernández was tagged for a 6.23 ERA across 43 1/3 innings last season and has a career 5.14 mark in just under 300 MLB frames. The power arsenal has intrigued a few teams, but he has been held back by a lack of command.
Hernández will slot into Stephen Vogt’s middle relief group. He’s out of options and needs to remain on the MLB roster or be placed back on waivers. Schneemann, who has been in Triple-A since late July, grabs the extra position player spot as a versatile bench piece.
