The Phillies signed just one Major League free agent this offseason: veteran reliever David Hernandez. With the trade of closer Ken Giles, the Phillies envisioned Hernandez as a veteran presence who could potentially fill the Phillies closer role at the start of 2016. But after just one Spring Training outing, Hernandez has not pitched. As it turns out, Hernandez is battling injury.
Matt Breen of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Hernandez has some "issues":
Hernandez has not pitched in a game since March 1. He was scheduled to pitch on Saturday, but was not used. Hernandez said on Sunday that he did not pitch because he wanted to take it slowly and get ready for the season.
“He has some issues with his elbow,” Mackanin said. “I don’t know what they are. Issues is the best way I can put it. I don’t know if it’s even serious or they’re just backing off on it.”
The Phillies have no shortage of candidates to close in Hernandez's absence.
Minor league free agents Andrew Bailey, Ernesto Frieri, and Edward Mujica all came to Phillies camp hoping to compete for the closer's role. So far Bailey has two scoreless innings on his Spring resume, Frieri one earned run in two and two-thirds innings, and Mujica has one scoreless outing in Grapefruit League play, though he gave up three runs to the University of Tampa. Should one work out, the Phillies bullpen would be stable.
The news comes on the back of the Phillies learning that probable starting right fielder Aaron Altherr would miss four to six months with a wrist injury.
Hernandez's injury is particularly alarming since a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) led to Tommy John surgery after Hernandez experienced the injury in Spring Training 2014. Hernandez pitched through some elbow soreness that year and ultimately needed surgery, which sidelined Hernandez the entire 2014 season.
