The Philadelphia Phillies' bullpen has seen some turnover of late. It's not a massive surprise given the personnel and the struggles through the first third of the season. Now, the latest reliever to be designated for assignment, right-hander Carlos Hernández, has surfaced elsewhere, and it's in somewhat of a peculiar place.
The Detroit Tigers claimed the 28-year-old Hernández on Monday after designating right-hander John Brebbia for assignment. On the surface, it's a curious move for a team that's leading the American League Central by nine games and has the best record in baseball at 46-27.
RHP Carlos Hernández (DFA’d on 6/11) was claimed off waivers today by the Detroit Tigers.
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) June 16, 2025
Tigers will try to fix Carlos Hernández after claiming him off waivers from Phillies
Designated on June 11, Hernández couldn't hack it in the Phillies' bullpen that ranks 23rd with a 4.46 ERA this season. He posted a 5.26 ERA and 1.75 WHIP with 23 strikeouts and 13 walks in 25 2/3 innings in red pinstripes. The Tigers' relief corps ranks 14th with a 3.76 ERA, so it's odd they'd want to add Hernández's 5.26 ERA to the mix in Detroit.
That being said, the Tigers do have some breathing room in their division, so maybe they feel like they can take Hernández's tantalizing 100 mph fastball and fix the rest of his game. He just hasn't been able to consistently command the ball, as shown by his career 4.40 BB/9. Comerica Park is a pitcher's paradise and is one of the best places for fly ball-prone hurlers to avoid giving up home runs. Hernández and his 51.8 percent fly ball rate allowed four home runs as a Phillie.
They'll have to figure it out quickly, as Hernandez is out of options so will have to be added to the active 26-man roster when the Tigers make the move official.
King Tuck delivers 💪 pic.twitter.com/ojRQoZaDDc
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) June 11, 2025
The Phillies claimed Hernandez off waivers from the Kansas City Royals before Opening Day. They opted to roster the big righty instead of one-time brief rookie sensation Tyler Phillips, who was DFA'd and claimed by the Miami Marlins.
Hernández is just the latest reliever to be cast aside by the Phillies, who designated right-hander José Ruiz for assignment a week and a half earlier. He was claimed by the NL East rival Atlanta Braves.