Hernandez is the likely candidate to take over closing duties for the Phillies after Ken Giles was traded to Houston on Wednesday, CSN Philadelphia reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hernandez was one of the better setup men in baseball before missing all of 2014 recovering from Tommy John surgery. Now further removed from surgery, the Phillies are hoping he will regain his old form. The team has not officially commented on their plan for the ninth inning now that Giles is gone, but Hernandez does look like the best option out of the current group of relievers.

Hernandez signed a one-year contract with the Phillies on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Hernandez elected free agency following a 2015 campaign in which he posted a 1-5 record with a 3.28 ERA and 1.31 WHIP over 33.2 innings with the Diamondbacks. The 30-year-old reliever will join a relatively weak Phillies bullpen, and should serve in a middle relief role for the club.

Hernandez elected free agency Monday.

EDGE Analysis

The 30-year-old reliever will test the free-agent waters this winter, after posting a 1-5 record, 4.28 ERA, 1.307 WHIP, and 33:11 K:BB in 33.2 innings with the Diamondbacks. On a positive note, he was able to maintain a 94-MPH-plus fastball throughout the campaign.

Hernandez took the loss Wednesday, to fall to 1-4, giving up two runs on two hits with one strikeout, while recording just two outs.

EDGE Analysis

Hernandez's return from Tommy John surgery has been up and down - before this outing he had gone three straight scoreless appearances. He has a 4.30 ERA and 1.43 WHIP on the season, but is still getting strikeouts with 22 in 23 innings. Hernandez is not likely to be fully back until next year.

Hernandez took the loss Tuesday against the Dodgers when he allowed three runs on a walk and three hits, including a home run, while striking one and recording just two outs. Hernandez has allowed runs in three straight appearances covering 2.2 innings, while giving up seven hits and a walk with three strikeouts. It's pretty clear that he isn't yet up to his previous level as he works his way back after recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Hernandez, who hasn't pitched since his return from Tommy John surgery on June 7, has not suffered any setbacks, reports the Arizona Republic's Zach Buchanan. Manager Chip Hale says that he hasn't been able to put Hernandez in the right situations since his lone appearance. It's clear that, despite his recovery, Hernandez is down the pecking order in the bullpen as other relievers have established themselves with the manager. Temper expectations for his contributions until you see him used regularly and in tougher assignments.

Hernandez returned to a Major League mound for the first time since 2013 on Sunday, pitching a scoreless inning with a walk and a strikeout against the Mets. Hernandez was reportedly sitting at 95 mph with his fastball and struck out Juan Lagares on a nasty slider. Hernandez will likely be used conservatively over the next few weeks, but he could pitch in high-leverage situations in short order if he proves himself. He posted 9.5 K/9 as a setup man in his last season in the majors in 2013.

Hernandez will be activated from the disabled list before Sunday's game against the Mets. Hernandez hasn't appeared in a game in the majors since 2013. He pitched well in seven minor league rehab appearances. Expect Hernandez to be worked slowly back into the mix in low leverage situations initially, but he should solidify a D-Backs' bullpen that could use a bit of help.

Hernandez (elbow) is close to returning from the disabled list, Jack Magruder of FOX Sports Arizona reports. "He is ready to go," manager Chip Hale said Friday. "We'll probably activate him, if not this weekend, when we go on the road." Hernandez has made seven rehab appearances between High-A and Double-A, pitching on back-to-back days on two different occasions. While Hernandez could eventually work into a late-inning role, the Diamondbacks figure to ease him back in with some lower-leverage work right off the bat.

Hernandez (elbow) appeared in rehab games each of the last two days. Hernandez threw just six pitches in Wednesday's game, but he was able to throw on back-to-back days for the second time since last week. It should not be long before the Diamondbacks deem him ready to resume pitching for the big club.