Hernandez has tested positive for COVID-19, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

EDGE Analysis

Due to the positive test, Hernandez is still at home and has yet to join his teammates as they prepare for the upcoming season. Whether or not he'll be available early in the campaign remains to be seen.

Hernandez could evolve into the Red Sox's closer in 2021, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hernandez, a minor-league starter, was needed in Boston's bullpen last year and thrived in the role, striking out 50 over 27.1 innings as a reliever. The 23-year-old left-hander will return to the 'pen in 2020, when Brandon Workman is set to close out games. However, Workman becomes an unrestricted free agent following the season, and he has a limited track record as a closer. The Red Sox feel Hernandez, who walked 7.7 batters nine innings in 2019, will make the necessary adjustments and throw more strikes as he matures.

Hernandez is considered a long-term stater in the organization, but the Red Sox are sticking to their plan of having him throw out of the bullpen in 2020, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Red Sox's plan for Hernandez, a starter in the minors, prior to the start of training camp was to have him pitch as a reliever in 2020. That way, he would gain experience against major-league hitters this season ahead of a planned return to a starting role in 2021. However, Chris Sale's elbow injury may eventually cause the organization to reconsider. Boston already had one available rotation spot prior to Sale's injury, forcing it to fill a second spot. The Sox have non-Hernandez depth options on hand -- Brian Johnson, Ryan Weber, Matt Hall, Chris Mazza and Jeffrey Springs -- none of whom have the potential of Hernandez.

Interim manager Ron Roenicke said Wednesday that Hernandez will compete for a relief role in camp, though the skipper noted that the lefty could get the chance to start again at some point, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hernandez has worked almost exclusively as a starter during his time in the minors, but he got his feet wet as a reliever at the big-league level last season and showed some promise, posting a 4.45 ERA and 57:26 K:BB across 30.1 innings. The walks were obviously a major issue for Hernandez, but his big fastball and ability to generate grounders at a high clip could allow him to emerge as a dominant relief option if he can display some semblance of control. If he can't make the Opening Day roster as a reliever, however, Hernandez might receive another look in the Triple-A Pawtucket rotation to begin the season. Even if that materializes, Hernandez's shaky command and limited repertoire make it unlikely that he'll receive an extended look as a starter at the big-league level in 2020.

Hernandez has been shut down for workload reasons, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hernandez's 87.2 innings this season are less than the 107 he threw last year, but the Red Sox have nevertheless determined that he's done for the year. More than 30 of those innings came at the big-league level, where he had mixed results. His 4.45 ERA and 2.76 FIP tell widely differing stories, and he struck out an excellent 38.8 percent of opposing hitters but walked batters at a 17.7 percent clip. The 22-year-old is expected to continue pitching in a relief role next season.

Hernandez will be available to pitch this weekend against Tampa Bay and then will be shut down, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hernandez served in the bullpen for Boston, a new role for the left-hander who is not accustomed to pitching on back-to-back days. Manager Alex Cora said the team views Hernandez as a reliever moving forward. The 22-year-old emerged as a sometimes-effective relief pitcher, posting a 4.05 ERA with 50 strikeouts in 26.2 innings as a reliever.

Hernandez has made eight consecutive scoreless relief appearances, giving up four hits and five walks while striking out 16 over 8.1 innings.

EDGE Analysis

The walks have been recurring issue for Hernandez, who has issued 7.2 BB/9 as a member of Boston's bullpen, but that has improved to 4.2 over his eight-game scoreless run. The Red Sox haven't committed to a role for Hernandez beyond this season, per Ian Browne of MLB.com, but the minor-league starter has made an impact out of the bullpen in the major leagues. Overall, the 22-year-old left-hander has a 2.83 ERA with 23 walks and 54 strikeouts over 28.2 innings for Boston.

Manager Alex Cora said he'll consider using Hernandez in high-leverage situations, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hernandez, a minor-league starter, has been used in low-leverage situations and thrived since being called up July 16. The hard-throwing right-hander has allowed one hit and two walks while striking out nine over four scoreless innings. His stuff is playing up in shorter stints. "I think it benefits him now," said Cora. "It's not like he thinks he's going five or six innings and has to set up hitters. It's, 'Just throw my best stuff and put a good swing on it. I have a pretty good chance to get you out anyway.' I think it helps him...there are going to be close situations that, yeah, we'll use Darwinzon." He may not be given save opportunities, but Hernandez could emerge as an important bullpen piece as Boston hunts for a playoff spot.

Hernandez was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket on Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hernandez struggled during his last stint with the Red Sox in June, allowing three runs while striking out seven over three innings of work, but he'll get another shot in the big leagues out of the bullpen. Ryan Brasier was demoted to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Hernandez will pitch out of the bullpen at Triple-A Pawtucket going forward, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hernandez doesn't appear to be transitioning to the bullpen long-term, but his best chance at helping the Red Sox during their playoff push this season will come in a relief role. The 21-year-old has allowed four runs (three earned) with an 11:6 K:BB in 5.1 innings of work for Boston this year.