D-backs, Hernandez agree on two-year contract
PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks announced they have agreed to terms on a 2-year contract with right-handed pitcher David Hernandez, according to D-backs’ Executive Vice President & General Manager Kevin Towers.
Hernandez, 27, has 141 career relief appearances and is 12-7 with 15 saves (26 opportunities), a 3.15 ERA (49 ER in 140.0 IP) and .208 opponents average with 56 walks and 171 strikeouts.
Among NL relievers since 2011 (entering today), he ranks tied for seventh with 122 strikeouts, eighth with 33 holds, tied for eighth with 107 games, 12th with 10.94 strikeouts-per-9.0-innings, 14th with a .193 opponents average and 16th with 100.1 innings.
Last season, he set career highs with 11 saves, 74 games and 77 strikeouts. His 23 holds tied for fourth-most in a season in franchise history, while his 74 relief appearances tied for sixth-most and his 77 strikeouts were seventh-most all-time. Among NL leaders, he ranked tied for sixth in holds, 12th with a .193 opponents average and tied for 12th in strikeouts.
In 33 games this season, Hernandez is 0-1 with 2 saves (6 opportunities), a 2.90 ERA (10 ER in 31.0 IP) and a .193 opponents average with 12 walks and 45 strikeouts. On June 22 vs. Cubs, he recorded the save and collected his first career hit, the first D-backs pitcher to do so since Jose Valverde in 2003.
Over parts of 4 seasons with the Orioles (2009-10) and D-backs (2011-present), Hernandez is 17-22 with 15 saves (26 opportunities), a 4.32 ERA (135 ER in 281. IP) and a .243 opponents average with 130 walks and 262 strikeouts in 168 career games (27 starts).