Miami Marlins finally make needed move with Elieser Hernandez

The Miami Marlins have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to the rotation. With several top pitching prospects and an already strong major league pitching staff, the Marlins have the ability to take those arms that are disappointing and shuffle them around, either to the bullpen or back to the minors.

Such was the case with Elieser Hernandez. He had been struggling this season, especially as it came to keeping the ball in the yard. On Saturday, the Marlins decided that enough was enough and optioned Hernandez to Triple-A.

Miami Marlins make right move with Elieser Hernandez

Hernandez appeared to be on the cusp of solidifying himself in the Marlins rotation. He had produced solid numbers over the past two seasons with a 3.84 ERA and a 1.216 WHiP over his 2020 and 2021 seasons. The problem was that those two seasons accounted for a total of 77.1 innings over 17 starts as he could not stay healthy.

There were other concerns with Hernandez aside from his health. He struggled to keep the ball in the yard at the best of times, allowing 18 homers in that same time frame. As solid as his production may have been when he was on the mound, he was walking a tightrope.

Everything fell apart this season. Despite players complaining that the ball felt like hitting a rolled up wet sock, Hernandez was allowing homers at an obscene pace. His 18 home runs allowed in just 48 innings led the majors before he was demoted, a major factor in his 6.75 ERA and 1.438 WHiP.

There is still time for Hernandez to right the ship and be a solid member of the rotation. However, he is an extreme fly ball pitcher in a ballpark that is not exactly easy to hit home runs in. Nonetheless, Hernandez may as well have been pitching in the Home Run Derby, something that has plagued him throughout his career. Maybe a change in approach or a different pitch mix will help, but his time with the Marlins may be approaching the end.

The Miami Marlins could no longer wait for Elieser Hernandez to figure out how to keep the ball in the yard. His demotion was the right move.