Felix

Hernandez

Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports that he used the opt-out in his minor league contract. Hernandez, who turns 35 in April, was roughed up to the tune of a 7.94 ERA in three appearances this spring and hasn’t pitched since March 16 due to a sore elbow. He wasn’t going to make the team. It’s fair to wonder if this is the end of the line for King Felix. If so, it would be an unceremonious end to a stellar career.

By all accounts, it was a successful one for the right-hander. Hernandez left with a sore pitching elbow on March 16, and hasn’t been able to return to the mound yet. If he’s healthy the former Cy Young winner could make the rotation, but he’s no longer a pitcher worth fantasy consideration at this point in his career.

Hernandez left his outing one week ago with a sore pitching elbow, but he didn’t require an MRI and is said to be feeling better now. The Orioles haven’t ruled him out for the start of the season, but there’s also the matter of whether he’ll even make the team. His showing during Grapefruit League action suggests that might not be the best idea.

The 34-year-old hurler is in camp as a non-roster invitee, but this elbow injury may have spoiled any hopes that he had of cracking the Opening Day starting rotation. In three Grapefruit League appearances, Hernandez registered a 7.94 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 5/2 K/BB ratio over 5 2/3 innings. The King’s days of fantasy relevancy are long gone.

King Felix exited Tuesday’s Grapefruit League outing with a sore pitching elbow, but the O’s are considering it a day-to-day situation for now. Hernandez is still a bit sore and he underwent treatment Wednesday. There’s no timetable for his return. The veteran right-hander is in camp as a non-roster invitee.

That’s too bad. King Felix actually pitched well in his one inning of work against the Rays, retiring the side in order while notching two strikeouts. However, he struggled in his other appearances and this injury almost certainly takes him out of the running for a rotation spot. The question is how long he’ll be sidelined and if the comeback effort ends here.

It was a bit odd, as King Felix pitched a 1-2-3 first inning with a pair of strikeouts. He was reportedly seen with a trainer, so it seems something popped up. The Orioles should pass along an update soon.

The reports on Hernandez before the shutdown last spring were pretty encouraging, but after opting out of 2020, he just hasn’t shown much arm strength this spring. He’ll probably need to spend some time at the alternate site if he hopes to return to the majors.

Hernandez had an easy 1-2-3 first inning capped off by a Niko Goodrum strikeout but struggled in the second after allowing back-to-back walks. The 34-year-old’s velocity topped off at 86 miles per hour. The former Cy Young award winner has stated his motivation to continue pitching is an effort to reach the hall of fame. Hernandez has a career 3.42 ERA with 169 wins and has not pitched since 2019.

Jon Heyman of MLB Network says that King Felix will make $1 million if in the majors. Hernandez inked a minor league deal with the Braves last offseason before ultimately opting out, and he produced an ugly 5.42 ERA in his last three seasons in Seattle. However, he should have no trouble getting a rotation spot in Baltimore given the state of their pitching staff. Slated to turn 35 in April, Hernandez figures to struggle in 2021 in Camden Yards and in the AL East.