The Los Angeles Dodgers have signed right-handed reliever Jonathan Hernández to a major league contract, the club announced Thursday. In a corresponding move, Chayce McDermott was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City. The move also required shifting Ben Casparius to the 60-day injured list to create 40-man roster space.
Hernández was released by the Philadelphia Phillies after triggering an opt-out clause in his minor league deal. The 29-year-old righty had spent the first six weeks of the season with the Phillies’ Triple-A affiliate, posting a 5.60 ERA in 15 innings with 22 strikeouts and five walks while inducing ground balls at a 57% rate.
Hernández has spent most of his career with the Texas Rangers, where he developed into a late-inning arm in 2020 before undergoing Tommy John surgery in April 2021. Upon his return in 2022, he posted a 3.38 ERA in 34 appearances but struggled over the past two seasons with a combined 5.40 ERA in 62 games.
After being waived by Texas in 2024, Hernández had a brief stint with the Seattle Mariners and spent the following season in the Tampa Bay Rays' system. A shoulder injury limited him to 12 Triple-A appearances in 2024, but he has remained healthy in 2025 and has shown promise with his sinker-slider combination, averaging 96 mph on his fastball.
The Dodgers are in the middle of a 14-day stretch without an off day and will likely deploy Hernández in middle relief. He is out of minor league options, so his stay on the roster could be short if L.A. needs to make further roster moves. Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic first reported the signing.
Ben Casparius has been sidelined since April 13 with shoulder inflammation. His placement on the 60-day injured list officially rules him out of MLB action until June 12. Casparius has not yet begun a rehab assignment and may not be ready by the June deadline. Reports indicate he was throwing at the team’s Arizona complex earlier this month.
The Dodgers now have a fresh arm ready to contribute during a grueling stretch of the schedule. Hernández is expected to be available for the upcoming series against the San Francisco Giants, starting Friday night at Dodger Stadium.
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