Nick

Hernandez

King has been stellar at both Triple-A and in the majors this season, posting a 2.05 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and 27:9 K:BB ratio in 22 innings with the Astros. He will give the Astros another dependable lefty other than Josh Hader. Nick Hernandez was demoted in a corresponding move.

Hernandez has struggled in eight innings at the big league level this year, posting a 7.88 ERA and 1.38 WHIP. The 29-year-old does have a 1.90 ERA in 23 2/3 innings in Triple-A with a 34:9 K:BB ratio and figures to remain organizational bullpen depth. Bryan King was called up in a corresponding move.

This is purely about needing a fresh arm in the bullpen. Whitley threw 48 pitches on Wednesday, allowing three hits and two runs, both unearned, in 1 2/3 innings. The former top prospect has not allowed an earned run in 3 1/3 innings out of the bullpen this season and should get another chance soon. Nick Hernandez was called up to take his place in the bullpen.

Hernandez was up with the Astros in June and will get another chance now. The 29-year-old has a 1.90 ERA in 23 2/3 innings in Triple-A with a 34:9 K:BB ratio. Forrest Whitley was sent down in a corresponding move.

Hernandez was shipped back to the minors following Friday’s game against the Orioles to allow the injury-depleted Astros to bring up a couple fresh relievers for the remainder of the weekend.

Hernandez finds himself back in the majors with future Hall of Fame righty Justin Verlander hitting the injured list with neck discomfort. The 29-year-old made a pair of relief appearances earlier this month for the Astros.

Hernandez pitched well in his two appearances with Houston after coming over in the trade with the Padres, but Houston is going with a fresher arm in their pen. He’ll likely be back in the coming weeks, if not sooner.

Hernandez, 29, was acquired from the Padres last night after posting a 1.90 ERA and a 34/9 K/BB in 23 2/3 innings out of the pen for Triple-A El Paso. He’ll get a look in middle relief.

Hernandez made a pair of late-season relief appearances last year for San Diego and will serve as extra organizational relief depth for the Astros moving forward. The 29-year-old righty has excelled this season in the upper minors with a sparkling 1.90 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 34/9 K/BB ratio across 23 2/3 innings (17 appearances) for Triple-A El Paso.

There are no major surprises among the first large batch of cuts for the Padres, as anticipated. With these moves they are now down to 50 players remaining in big league camp. Salas, the 17-year-old phenom, went 2-for-7 with a double and an RBI in his limited Cactus League action this spring. It’s highly unlikely that we’ll see him in the big leagues during the 2024 season, but his time will be coming soon.