The Red Sox plan to recall Hernandez from Double-A Portland to serve as the 26th man for the second game of their doubleheader Tuesday with the Tigers, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

One of the more heralded arms in Boston's farm system, Hernandez has built on an impressive showing in spring training through his first two turns in the Portland rotation, posting a 1.80 ERA while striking out 15 in 10 innings. Though the Red Sox are continuing to develop him as a starter, he could make his MLB debut out of the bullpen during Tuesday's nightcap. With starter Hector Velazquez likely to have a pitch limit in place as he transitions from a relief role to the rotation, Hernandez could be asked to eat some innings out of the bullpen once Velazquez exits. It's likely that Hernandez will be sent back to Double-A once the twin bill is completed.

The Red Sox optioned Hernandez to Double-A Portland on Saturday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hernandez was never viewed as a legitimate challenger for an Opening Day roster spot, but he stuck around in big-league camp longer than anticipated after holding his own during Grapefruit League play. Over 11 innings this spring, Hernandez held opposing batters to a .184 average while recording 12 strikeouts. He'll enter 2019 as one of the top pitching prospects in a depleted farm system.

Hernandez turned in a scoreless inning of work but walked three batters on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Hernandez is fighting for one of the three remaining bullpen sports with the big league club. While he has 12 strikeouts in 11 innings of work this spring, he has also issued eight free passes. Hernandez is just 22-years-old and has pitched only five games above Single-A, so it's likely the team will opt to give him more time to develop in the minors.

Hernandez allowed two hits and struck out one over two scoreless innings Saturday against the Braves.

EDGE Analysis

Hernandez has been terrific this spring, giving up just one run over 10 innings. He mopped up Saturday's game against the lesser-known Braves and hasn't seen the opponents best, but he's showing promise as the team's top pitching prospect. The left-hander has walked five and struck out 12 in his 10 innings, which is representative of his production in 2018 at High-A Salem and Double-A Portland. There has been talk about him pitching as a reliever in Boston this season, but the organizational plan calls for him to remain on a starter's trajectory.

Hernandez allowed one hit, walked one, and hit two batters over three scoreless innings Friday against the Orioles.

EDGE Analysis

Hernandez ran into some early trouble but worked around a walk and two hit batsmen to avoid first-inning damage. After the inning, the left-hander received some coaching from his batterymate, Christian Vazquez. "In the first inning, I was a little fast," Hernandez told Mark Feisand of MLB.com through a translator. "My mechanics were a little off. When I came into the dugout, Christian Vazquez talked to me and so did the pitching coach. They told me [to] calm down and not be so fast. Thanks to those guys, I was able to lock in and control my tempo." Hernandez is Boston's top pitching prospect and has not allowed a run in seven spring innings while striking out 10 and walking four.

Hernandez will open the 2019 season as a starter, but Boston president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski is not ruling out a move to the bullpen, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hernandez finished up 2018 as a reliever for Double-A Portland before the Venezuelan native pitched out of the bullpen in the Arizona Fall League. "We're looking at him going into the season more as a starter," Dombrowski said. "I will say that. Now I can't say later on in the year we may not put him in the bullpen. But we like him as a starter." The 22-year-old lefty might move to the bullpen the closer he gets to the majors. Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald reports there is a strong belief within the organization of that happening.

Hernandez's contract was selected from Double-A Portland on Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

This was expected, as the well-regarded prospect needed to be protected from the Rule 5 draft. Hernandez flashed his upside in 2018, posting a combined 3.53 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 11.3 K/9 across 107 innings with Portland and High-A Salem. Despite the southpaw's electric stuff, his command issues (5.0 career BB/9) could ultimately land him in the bullpen long term.

Hernandez was promoted to Double-A Portland on Wednesday, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hernandez compiled a 3.56 ERA and 124 strikeouts in 101 innings (23 starts) with High-A Salem before earning a promotion to the Sea Dogs. While the 21-year-old southpaw has flashed electric stuff in the lower minors, shaky command (career 5.0 BB/9) has kept him from reaching his ceiling and could ultimately land him in the bullpen long term.

Hernandez has a 3.93 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 67:31 K:BB in 52.2 innings at Low-A Greenville.

EDGE Analysis

He missed time with an undisclosed injury earlier this year, but has started each of the last two times through the rotation. Hernandez has electric stuff, but may be a better fit in the bullpen long term.

Hernandez is on the minor-league DL at Low-A Greenville with an undisclosed injury.

EDGE Analysis

The hard-throwing southpaw had been really impressive thus far in his first year in a full-season league. He had a 2.72 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 51:22 K:BB in 39.2 innings prior to the injury.