The Detroit Tigers have added to their bullpen.
The Tigers claimed right-handed reliever Carlos Hernández off waivers Monday, June 16, from the Philadelphia Phillies. The 28-year-old doesn’t have any minor league options remaining, so he will join the Tigers’ active roster for the upcoming game Tuesday, June 17, against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Comerica Park.
The 40-man roster is now full.
After claiming Hernández, the Tigers need to make a corresponding move to create space on the 26-man roster. There are two clear options: placing right-handed reliever Will Vest on the 15-day injured list with a right pinky finger injury, or optioning right-handed reliever Tyler Owens to Triple-A Toledo.
Vest suffered a pinky injury in the eighth inning Sunday, June 15, but the severity of the injury is unknown.
It seems like Hernández could be Vest’s replacement.
He has a 4.98 ERA in his six-year MLB career, spanning 282 innings.
In 2025, Hernández posted a 5.26 ERA with the Phillies, allowing 32 hits and 12 walks while recording just 23 strikeouts across 25⅔ innings in 25 relief appearances. His 1.75 WHIP — walks and hits per innings pitched — ranks 188th among 195 relievers with at least 20 innings in the 2025 campaign.
The Phillies designated him for assignment Wednesday, June 11, for performance reasons, as he had a 5.73 ERA in May.
Hernández averages 97.8 mph with his four-seam fastball. However, he ranks in the 23rd percentile with a 10.6% walk rate and the 27th percentile with an 18.7% strikeout rate, both below-average marks.
Aside from his fastball, he also throws a slider, curveball, splitter and sinker to complete his five-pitch mix.
Hernández spent his first five seasons with the Kansas City Royals, from 2020-24.
