Yadiel Hernandez moves a step closer to making his Major League Baseball debut. The Washington Nationals selected the contract of the 32-year old outfielder after retroactively placing Howie Kendrick on the 10-day injured list.
At the age of 21, Hernandez started his baseball career playing for Cocodrilos de Matanzas of the Cuban Baseball Federation. He defected from Cuba in 2015 and became eligible for the MLB in 2016,. The Nationals signed him later that year to a $200,000 signing bonus.
He has spent the past three seasons working his way up the Nationals’ minor league system.
Last season, Hernandez hit .323/.406/.604 with 33 home runs and 90 runs batted in with Triple-A affiliate Fresno — all tops for the Nationals minor league system.
Nationals manager Dave Martinez said the team wanted the left-handed bat with Hernandez, according to Jesse Dougherty of the Washington Post.
Hernandez also provides assurance in the outfield until slugger Juan Soto can return to playing left field. Soto returned to the lineup on Sept. 8 as a DH, where he will remain while nursing a sore elbow.
