D-backs option Dominic Leone to Double-A Mobile, David Hernandez to be reinstated tomorrow

June 7, 2015

PHOENIX - The Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) optioned right-handed pitcher Dominic Leone to Double-A Mobile following tonight's game and, tomorrow, will reinstate right-handed pitcher David Hernandez (@DHern30) from the 15-day disabled list (Tommy John surgery), as announced by D-backs Sr. Vice President & General Manager Dave Stewart.

Leone, 23, appeared in 1 game for the D-backs (June 4 vs. Mets) after being acquired on June 3 from the Seattle Mariners with catcher Wellington Castillo, infielder Jack Reinheimer and outfielder Gabby Guerrero in exchange for outfielder Mark Trumbo and left-handed pitcher Vidal Nuño.

Leone appeared in 10 games with the Mariners this season and 8 games with Triple-A Tacoma. In 2014, Leone went 8-2 with a 2.17 ERA (16 ER in 66.1 IP) and 70 strikeouts in 57 games in his first Major League season with Seattle. He ranked among AL rookie relief leaders in wins (1st), strikeouts (2nd), ERA (3rd), opponent average (3rd, .217), innings (4th), appearances (T-4th) and holds (T-7th, 7). Leone was selected by the Mariners in the 16th round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft.

Hernandez, who turned 30 on May 13, missed the entire 2014 season due to Tommy John surgery performed on March 24, 2014, by Dr. James Andrews. Hernandez had 7 scoreless rehab appearances (6.0 innings) with 9 strikeouts, 1 hit and 2 walks between Single-A Advanced Visalia and Double-A Mobile. For Visalia, he had 2 scoreless outings (May 16 and 18), spanning 2.0 innings with 1 hit and 3 strikeouts. For Mobile, he had 5 scoreless, hitless appearances (May 21, 27-28; June 2-3), spanning 4.0 innings with 2 walks and 6 strikeouts.

Hernandez has pitched in 208 games over 3 seasons for the D-backs from 2011-13. He is 12-12 with 17 saves, 63 holds, a 3.42 ERA (76 ER in 200.0 IP) and a .199 opponents average with 76 walks and 241 strikeouts. He is 1 of 3 D-backs relievers all-time to record 60 strikeouts in 3 straight seasons. He has played 5 Major League seasons with the Orioles (2009-10) and D-backs (2011-13), and in 269 career games (27 starts) is 24-30 with 19 saves, a 4.14 ERA (175 ER in 380.2 IP), a .233 opponents average, 164 walks and 381 strikeouts.