Carlos

Hernandez

The Royals had no choice but to subject Hernández, who is out of options, to waivers after he didn’t make the club’s Opening Day roster. The Phillies claimed the 28-year-old right-hander on Sunday. Hernández had a 6.97 ERA in 10 1/3 innings this spring, but notched a 3.30 ERA and 3.50 FIP in 30 innings out of the bullpen in 2024.

It’ll be Kris Bubic opening the year as Kansas City’s fifth starter. Royals manager Matt Quatraro added that Carlos Hernández, who is out of options, is not on the Opening Day roster. He’ll presumably be designated for assignment at some point in the coming days since he can’t be shipped to Triple-A Omaha without clearing waivers.

Hernández, 27, did a nice job out of the Royals’ bullpen in 2024, posting a 3.30 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and a 27/16 K/BB ratio over 30 innings in his 27 appearances. This is his first trip through the arbitration process and he remains under team control through the 2027 season.

There’s a lot of roster turnover in the bullpen for the Royals today. Smith might not need more than the minimum stay on the IL, and the veteran has also really struggled in 2024 with a 6.53 ERA in 41 1/3 innings. Carlos Hernández is being recalled from Triple-A Omaha to take his place.

With Will Smith put on the IL with a back injury, the Royals will bring back Hernández, who has a 3.45 ERA in 15 innings overall for the team out of the bullpen. He figures to remain in the majors for a couple of weeks at least while Smith recovers.

Hernández allowed two runs — one earned — over four innings in his week with the Royals. He has a 3.45 ERA in 15 innings overall for the team, but the Royals pen has been good enough that he hasn’t been needed regularly.

Hernández has been summoned to replace an injured Hunter Harvey (back) in Kansas City’s bullpen. The 27-year-old righty has made just 12 appearances this season for the Royals and will most likely operate in middle relief.

The 27-year-old hurler has shown flashes of brilliance in his career but has struggled to find consistency on the mound. He has made 12 appearances out of the Royals’ bullpen this season, registering a 3.86 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and an 8/8 K/BB ratio over 11 2/3 innings. Walter Pennington had his contract selected from Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move on Friday.

Hernández will rejoin the Kansas City staff after being optioned down at the end of May. The right-hander will provide some depth with Drew Waters heading back to Triple-A in the corresponding move.

With Brady Singer scratched from his Thursday start due to illness, the Royals needed a starter on short notice, so they called up Daniel Lynch IV from Triple-A and optioned Hernández to make room. The 27-year-old made four appearances for the Royals after returning from injury, allowing one run on two hits in 2 2/3 innings while striking out one and walking three. He’ll be back in the Royals’ bullpen in the near future.