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Darwinzon Hernández
Hernández with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks – No. 63
Pitcher
Born: (1996-12-17) December 17, 1996 (age 28) Ciudad Bolívar, Venezuela
Bats: LeftThrows: Left
Professional debut
MLB: April 23, 2019, for the Boston Red Sox
NPB: August 23, 2023, for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
MLB statistics (through 2022 season)
Win–loss record	3–4
Earned run average	5.06
Strikeouts	133
NPB statistics (through October 12, 2024)
Win–loss record	3-3
Earned run average	2.59
Strikeouts	73
Saves	3
Stats at Baseball Reference
Teams
Boston Red Sox (2019–2022) Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks (2023–present)

Darwinzon David Hernández Afanador (born December 17, 1996) is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox. Listed at 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) and 245 pounds (111 kg), he bats and throws left-handed.

Career

Boston Red Sox

Hernández signed with the Boston Red Sox as an international free agent in August 2013. He made his professional debut in 2014 with the Dominican Summer League Red Sox, appearing in 14 games while compiling a record of 1–1 with a 2.89 ERA. In 2015, he again played for the DSL Red Sox, compiling a 6–1 record with 1.10 ERA in 16 appearances. Playing for the Class A Short Season Lowell Spinners in 2016, he had a 3–5 record in 14 games, with a 4.10 ERA. In 2017, Hernández played for the Single-A Greenville Drive, appearing in 23 games while compiling a 4–5 record with a 4.01 ERA.

In 2018, Hernández pitched for the Class A-Advanced Salem Red Sox and Double-A Portland Sea Dogs, appearing in a total of 28 games while compiling a 9–5 record with 3.35 ERA. After the season, he played in the Arizona Fall League. The Red Sox added Hernández to their 40-man roster after the 2018 season.

In 2019, Hernández had a 0.82 ERA with the Red Sox in spring training, second only to Chris Sale, and was optioned to Double-A Portland prior to Opening Day. On April 23, Hernández was added to Boston's major league active roster for the first time, as the 26th man for the second game of a doubleheader. He made his MLB debut that day, pitching 2+1⁄3 scoreless innings against the Detroit Tigers while striking out four; he was optioned back to Portland following the game. Hernández was briefly recalled to Boston in late May but did not make an appearance. On June 10, the Red Sox announced that Hernández would be recalled to make his first MLB start on June 11, against the Texas Rangers. In that start, Hernández struck out the first four batters he faced, but issued five walks in three innings, while allowing four runs on three hits and taking the loss. He was optioned back to Portland the next day. On June 15, Hernández was promoted to the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox, and he was recalled to Boston on July 16. In 29 games (one start) with the 2019 Red Sox, Hernández compiled an 0–1 record with 4.45 ERA and 57 strikeouts in 30+1⁄3 innings.

On July 4, 2020, it was announced that Hernández had tested positive for COVID-19. During the delayed-start 2020 season, he remained on the injured list until activated on August 20. He was again on the injured list from the end of August until September 18, due to a left AC joint sprain. Overall with the 2020 Red Sox, Hernández appeared in six games (all in relief), compiling a 1–0 record with 2.45 ERA and 11 strikeouts in 7+1⁄3 innings pitched.

Hernández began the 2021 season as a member of Boston's bullpen. On July 31, he was placed on the injured list due to a right oblique strain. He returned to the team on September 10. Overall during the regular season, Hernández made 48 appearances with Boston, all in relief, compiling a 2–2 record with 3.38 ERA; he struck out 54 batters in 40 innings.

Hernández opened 2022 in Triple-A with the Worcester Red Sox, until suffering a torn right meniscus that required surgery in May. He returned to Worcester in early July, was added to Boston's active roster on July 14, and was optioned back to Worcester on July 26. Hernández was also with Boston for 10 days in the first half of August, and recalled by Boston on October 3 for the final series of the season. In seven relief appearances with Boston during 2022, Hernández posted a 21.60 ERA with 0–1 record while striking out nine batters in 6+2⁄3 innings.

Hernández was designated for assignment on January 6, 2023, to make room on the team's 40-man roster due to the signing of Justin Turner.

Baltimore Orioles

On January 11, 2023, Hernández was traded to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for cash considerations. On January 26, Hernández was designated for assignment by Baltimore following the acquisition of Cole Irvin. On February 2, he cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-A Norfolk Tides. In 27 games for Norfolk, he registered a 2.96 ERA with 37 strikeouts and 1 save in 27+1⁄3 innings pitched. On July 27, Hernández was released by the Orioles organization.

Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks

On July 28, 2023, Hernández signed with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). The signing was made with the intention for Hernández to fill in for the injured Liván Moinelo. On August 23, 2023, Hernández pitched against the Chiba Lotte Marines in the Pacific League.

On December 13, 2023, announced that his uniform number would be changed from 61 to 63.

References

1. "Boston Red Sox Media Guide" (PDF). 2019. p. 122. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 15, 2019. Retrieved April 29, 2019 – via pressbox.athletics.com.
2. Speier, Alex. "Red Sox prospect Darwinzon Hernandez makes his pitch for the fast track". The Boston Globe. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
3. Gilberto, Gerard. "Hernandez brilliant again for Salem". MiLB.com. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
4. Speier, Alex. "Red Sox promote top pitching prospect Darwinzon Hernandez to Double A". The Boston Globe. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
5. Collins, Matt (October 15, 2018). "AFL Roundup: Darwinzon Hernandez is dominating". overthemonster.com. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
6. Cotillo, Chris (November 20, 2018). "Boston Red Sox roster moves: Michael Chavis, Travis Lakins among six added to 40-man roster; William Cuevas, Austin Maddox cut". masslive.com.
7. Mastrodonato, Jason (March 23, 2019). "Surprises in Red Sox bullpen after roster cuts". Boston Herald. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
8. @PeteAbe (April 23, 2019). "Darwinzon Hernandez the 26th man" (Tweet). Retrieved April 23, 2019 – via Twitter.
9. @IanMBrowne (April 23, 2019). "Here comes big Darwinzon Hernandez making his MLB debut. Number 63 in your program" (Tweet). Retrieved April 23, 2019 – via Twitter.
10. @ChrisCotillo (April 23, 2019). "Darwinzon Hernandez sent back to Portland as expected" (Tweet). Retrieved April 24, 2019 – via Twitter.
11. "Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions". MLB.com. May 2019. Archived from the original on May 3, 2019. Retrieved May 26, 2019.
12. @SmittyOnMLB (June 10, 2019). "Darwinzon Hernandez to start for the Red Sox on Tuesday" (Tweet). Retrieved June 10, 2019 – via Twitter.
13. "Rangers vs. Red Sox – Box Score". ESPN. June 11, 2019. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
14. @RedSox (June 12, 2019). "LHP Bobby Poyner was optioned to Pawtucket & LHP Darwinzon Hernandez was optioned to Double-A Portland" (Tweet). Retrieved June 12, 2019 – via Twitter.
15. "Darwinzon Hernandez". MiLB.com. Retrieved June 18, 2019.
16. @PeteAbe (July 16, 2019). "#RedSox optioned Ryan Brasier back to AAA and recalled Darwinzon Hernandez" (Tweet). Retrieved July 16, 2019 – via Twitter.
17. West, Jenna (July 4, 2020). "Twins, Red Sox Among Positive COVID-19 Cases". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
18. Browne, Ian (August 20, 2020). "Hernandez activated, looks to make impact". MLB.com. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
19. "Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions". MLB.com. September 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
20. ^ "Darwinzon Hernández Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
21. "Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions". MLB.com. Boston Red Sox. July 2021. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
22. "Red Sox's Darwinzon Hernandez: Activated by Boston". CBS Sports. September 10, 2021. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
23. "Injuries & Moves: Bogaerts iffy for Monday (left thigh)". MLB.com. July 3, 2022. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
24. Cotillo, Chris (July 14, 2022). "Boston Red Sox's Josh Winckowski tests positive for COVID-19 after good start vs. Rays". masslive.com. Retrieved July 14, 2022 – via MSN.com.
25. Smith, Christopher (July 26, 2022). "Boston Red Sox roster moves: Phillips Valdez DFA'd; Darwinzon Hernandez to be optioned, Josh Winckowski to be activated". masslive.com. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
26. "Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions". MLB.com. Boston Red Sox. August 2022. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
27. Cotillo, Chris (August 14, 2022). "Red Sox roster moves: Darwinzon Hernandez (21.60 ERA in majors) sent down to WooSox to make room for Michael Wacha". masslive.com. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
28. "Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions". MLB.com. Boston Red Sox. October 2022. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
29. "Red Sox agree to one-year contract with infielder Justin Turner". mlb.com. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
30. "Orioles' Darwinzon Hernandez: Stays in AL East with O's". cbssports.com. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
31. "Orioles' Darwinzon Hernandez: Moved off 40-man roster". cbssports.com. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
32. "Orioles' Darwinzon Hernandez: Outrighted to Triple-A". cbssports.com. February 2, 2023. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
33. "Darwinzon Hernandez: Cut loose by Baltimore". cbssports.com. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
34. "Hernandez, who boasts the fastest speed of 159 kilometers, is expected to be a substitute for Moinelo". sports.yahoo.co.jp. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
35. "Nishinippon Sports baseball news 1試合で防御率27.00、ソフトバンクが新外国人ヘルナンデス抹消 代わりにプロ初先発の松本晴を登録". Nishinippon Shimbun (in Japanese). August 27, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
36. "Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks press release 2023/12/13 (水) プレスリリース 背番号の変更について". Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks Official site (in Japanese). December 13, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.

External links

• Career statistics from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet
• Darwinzon Hernández on Instagram
• Career statistics - NPB.jp
• 63 Darwinzon Hernandez PLAYERS2024 - Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks Official site

• 1996 births
• Living people
• Sportspeople from Ciudad Bolívar
• Venezuelan expatriate baseball players in the United States
• Venezuelan expatriate baseball players in the Dominican Republic
• Major League Baseball players from Venezuela
• Major League Baseball pitchers
• Boston Red Sox players
• Dominican Summer League Red Sox players
• Lowell Spinners players
• Norfolk Tides players
• Greenville Drive players
• Salem Red Sox players
• Portland Sea Dogs players
• Mesa Solar Sox players
• Worcester Red Sox players
• Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks players
• 2023 World Baseball Classic players