Dodgers 2014 Player Reviews: Roberto Hernandez

Roberto Hernandez began the season with the Philadelphia Phillies and was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in August for two players to be named later — who turned out to be second baseman Jesmuel Valentin (2012 first-round pick) and right-hander Victor Arano.

At the time he joined the Dodgers, Hernandez was 6-8 and had won three consecutive starts. While he had momentum on his side, Hernandez faced the challenge of satisfying Dodger fans who believed the likes of Jon Lester, David Price, or another marquee starter could’ve been acquired.

While Hernandez may not have been what fans envisioned, the early return was a much-needed shot in the arm for a pitching staff that suffered one injury after another. However, Hernandez closed out the regular season in underwhelming fashion as he failed to make it out of the fifth inning in four of his last five starts and he suffered two losses in that stretch.

Hernandez went 2-3 in nine starts with the Dodgers and finished the year with an 8-11 record and 4.10 ERA in his first season in the National League.

2014 Highlight

Hernandez pitched six innings in his Dodger debut on Aug. 8 against the Milwaukee Brewers, but walked way without a decision in the a game the Dodgers lost. He followed that start by holding the Atlanta Braves to one run on three hits in another six innings of work on Aug. 14.

It was Hernandez’s first win with his new team and gave the Dodgers a series win over the Braves and a 5-3 record on their eight-game road trip that began in Anaheim.

2015 Outlook

The 24-year-old is a free agent and while the Dodgers will be in need of a fifth starter given Josh Beckett’s retirement, Hernandez shouldn’t be considered a favorite to return.

That doesn’t mean he won’t receive an opportunity with another team and a return to the American League may be in the cards.
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