'Way bigger than baseball': Hernández back in Majors after offseason car accident

CLEVELAND -- There was a point this year where Carlos Hernández feared his baseball career could be over. So, the 29-year-old could only help but smile as he sat in the Guardians’ dugout at Progressive Field on Tuesday afternoon.

“I’m very happy,” Hernández said through team interpreter Agustin Rivero. “I feel like I'm here just as a testament of God's will. Otherwise, there's no way to explain what has happened to me in normal words.”

The Guardians selected Hernández’s contract from Triple-A Columbus on Tuesday, as part of active rosters expanding from 26 to 28 players. Cleveland also recalled utility man Daniel Schneemann from the Clippers.

Tuesday marked the culmination of Hernández’s incredible road to Cleveland. On Jan. 11, he got into a serious car accident in San Félix, Bolívar, in Venezuela. He had to be pulled from the wreckage and was left with significant injuries, including a fractured right femur, a deep cut on his left arm that was almost down to his bone and a Grade 3 left ankle sprain.

“It was a complicated injury. I want to serve as a reminder not to drive and text,” Hernández said. “I feel the accident happened right when I was texting in the middle of driving and it was very intense. … They were very serious injuries. I was really scared. But I hope this serves as a reminder not to drive and text.”

Hernández was in the car with his brother-in-law and a close friend. Thankfully, everyone survived.

Hernández logged a 3.86 ERA in seven innings over five appearances with the Guardians in 2025 after they claimed him off waivers from the Tigers on July 31. He finished the season with Triple-A Columbus after Cleveland designated him for assignment in August, and the Guardians brought him back on a Minor League deal on Nov. 7 that included a non-roster invitation to Spring Training.

Hernández was not able to compete for a spot with the Guardians this spring, as his recovery obviously took precedence. His personal therapist, Ursula, helped him stay mentally strong when he grew discouraged about the future of his baseball career.

“She reassured me that she would make sure I would get back to playing baseball,” Hernández said. “I think she partnered really well with the organization to have a clear plan of what it's going to be like. Most importantly, I give everything to God. When my strength was fading away, I felt like I relied on God to be consistent.

“It's been a long process, but I feel really fortunate to be back here.”

Hernández began a rehab assignment on July 7 in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League. He made an additional three appearances there before the Guardians transferred him to Columbus, for which he made his season debut on July 23.

Hernández logged a 5.40 ERA in 13 1/3 innings over 12 appearances with the Clippers. He now joins the Guardians as they make their final push toward securing a postseason spot.

“Some things are way bigger than baseball,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “It's pretty incredible that he's back on the mound and getting back to the big leagues.”

Schneemann returns

President of baseball operations Chris Antonetti practically forecast on Sunday that the Guardians would recall Schneemann on Tuesday. The 29-year-old has experience playing every position beyond first base and catcher in the Majors. As Cleveland pushes for the postseason, having its Swiss Army knife on the roster makes a lot of sense.

“Obviously, that's a big reason why he's here down the stretch as well,” Vogt said, “is that he could play seven positions. He can step in and start for anybody. He can come into any game and we automatically upgrade defensively.

“He just gives us a lot of moving parts that now we can add to this roster, because we have been pretty constrained as far as versatility the last couple months.”

The Guardians optioned Schneemann to Columbus on July 24 amid a prolonged slump offensively. He hit .160 with a .448 OPS in 106 plate appearances in 35 games across June and July. His option provided a reset, and he hit .326 with a .990 OPS in 25 games with the Clippers.

“It's always tough to make in-season adjustments,” Schneemann said. “Obviously you never want to get sent down, but I really think there were a lot of things that were going to help me get back to where I know I am. It’s just enjoying the game again and not putting so much pressure on myself and just trying to make those adjustments.

“I really think it was a blessing in disguise, I could say. I'm glad to be back.”