Diamondbacks acquire reliever David Hernandez from Angels
Jul 31, 2017, 12:49 PM | Updated: 9:31 pm
(AP Photo)
(AP Photo)
The Arizona Diamondbacks have acquired their former reliever David Hernandez from the Angels before the trade deadline.
What's up @Dbacks! I've missed you guys!
— David Hernandez (@DHern_30) July 31, 2017
The D-backs reportedly will send RHP Luis Madero to the Angels in return. Madero, 20, is 3-1 in five starts this season for rookie-level Missoula. He holds a 3.99 ERA.
Hernandez pitched for the Diamondbacks from 2011 to 2015, compiling a 3.54 ERA in that stretch. He’s also had stints in his eight-year major league career with the Baltimore Orioles and Philadelphia Phillies.
“David is one of the guys we targeted throughout the entire process,” D-backs GM Mike Hazen said in a conference call. “We feel like it strengthened the club in ways we needed.
“(He’s) throwing the ball really well this year. He’s pitching in a leverage role in Anaheim. Stuff’s been good. Very typical to how he’s pitched while healthy throughout the majority of his career.”
In 38 games with the Angels this season, Hernandez has a 2.23 ERA and has yet to give up a home run.
Hernandez, who has added a slider to his pitch mix since leaving Arizona, began spring on a minor-league deal with the Atlanta Braves before he was traded to the Angels in late April.
“It was tough finding a job to start the year and I kind of took that as a chip on my shoulder,” Hernandez told Burns and Gambo on 98.7 FM, Arizona’s Sports Station. “I just wanted to prove to everybody I can still get people out.
“It definitely humbles you. It just makes you want to work harder. It’s no fun in Triple-A. I’ve definitely been blessed. I just think it was meant to be, all the steps I’ve taken.”
The move comes as the D-backs were reportedly in pursuit of relief help at the deadline, even though their bullpen has the third-best ERA in the NL at 3.44 as of Monday. Still, concerns over closer Fernando Rodney and an overall desire to add insurance to late innings may have been what prompted the D-backs to pull the trigger on a relief arm.
The acquisition is the second time Monday that the D-backs brought back a former player. Earlier in the day, they announced they had signed utility man Emilio Bonifacio, who broke into the big leagues with the D-backs in 2007.
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