Heriberto

Hernandez

The Marlins are going all right-handed to open the game against Nick Lodolo and Cincinnati. That means Towers sits with Heriberto Hernandez getting the start in right field. Jesus Sanchez is also out with Derek Hill in center and Dane Myers handling right field.

Hernandez was the only Marlin that seemed to have a clue against Andrew Abbott. He put two balls in play that were hit harder than 103 mph – as many as the rest of the team in total against Abbott – and plated their only run against him. Despite being a part-time player, he has a .916 OPS in 82 plate appearances. If the Marlins wind up trading Jesús Sánchez or anyone in their corner outfield mix Hernandez could be in line for more playing time through the second half.

Sánchez, who is hitting .321 (9-for-28) with one steal over his last seven games, will take a seat to open the contest with southpaw Andrew Abbott taking the hill for Cincinnati. It’ll be Dane Myers taking over in right field with rookie backstop Agustín Ramírez and unheralded Heriberto Hernandez moving up to the second and third spots, respectively, in Miami’s lineup.

Hernandez’ home run was his third of the year. The 25-year-old outfielder hit a solo shot off Brandon Woodruff in the fifth inning. Hernandez is hitting .328 with a .902 OPS and 10 RBI in limited at-bats since being called up. Hernandez has started just nine games since June 15 and will likely need an injury or a trade to have a chance at real fantasy value.

Hernandez’s three-run double in the 10th made all of the difference tonight. He’s up to .340/.377/.480 in 53 plate appearances since his callup on May 30, and while there’s little in his numbers to back that up. he could be in line for an expanded role in the second half after the Marlins start selling off pieces.

It’s the first MLB homer for Hernández. The Marlins ignored Bailey Falter’s huge reverse splits this season — righties had a .575 OPS against him, compared to .817 for lefties — and sat lefties Jesús Sánchez, Kyle Stowers and Liam Hicks in favor of an all-righty lineup. It really didn’t work out for anyone other than Hernandez, who got both of his extra-base hits off Falter in the 5-2 loss. We were surprised by his promotion at the end of last month, but he’s off to a nice start as a platoon guy, going 10-for-24 with three extra-base hits so far.

Hernández has gone 6-for-16 so far after being called up from Triple-A, but he has started just four of those games. If Kyle Stowers heads to the IL, Hernández would seem to be the prime beneficiary, but Stowers was able to pinch-hit on Sunday, which makes that feel less likely to happen.

Hernández was hitting .220/.319/.454 with 57 strikeouts in 141 plate appearances in Triple-A, so we’re not sure of the thinking here. With Dane Myers back and Victor Mesa Jr. up, there wouldn’t seem to be much reason to give him time in the outfield. We wouldn’t expect him to stick around for too long.

Curiously, the Marlins also have fellow outfielder Heriberto Hernandez joining the team. Myers can take Graham Pauley’s roster spot, but someone else will have to go (Matt Mervis?) if Hernandez is activated.

Hernandez spent the last few years with the Rays after coming over from the Rangers back in 2020 as one of the ancillary components of the Nathaniel Lowe swap. The 24-year-old outfielder batted .234/.344/.496 with 23 round-trippers and five steals in 428 plate appearances last year between Double-A Montgomery and Triple-A Durham.