Rangers GM Chris Young said Saturday that Hernandez "could be a closer" for the club in 2023, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jose Leclerc, who finished 2022 as Texas' closer, is likely the current frontrunner for the job and was the first of many names mentioned by Young, but Hernandez was the next man brought up by the new GM. Hernandez returned from a lengthy absence last season after he underwent Tommy John surgery in 2021 and had a 2.97 ERA with four saves across 30.1 innings, but he struggled with his command at times and had a 13.0 percent walk rate. The right-hander may not open 2023 as the Rangers' primary closer, but Hernandez should have a high-leverage role and is likely to receive some save chances at some point.

Hernandez signed a one-year, $1.275 million contract with the Rangers on Friday to avoid arbitration, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Recovery from a Tommy John procedure in April 2021 kept Hernandez from playing last season until mid-July, but he was effective during the time that he did play. In 30.1 innings, he recorded a 2.97 ERA and 1.42 WHIP -- good enough to keep him in a setup role to start 2023.

Hernandez (1-1) blew the save and took the loss against the Red Sox on Thursday, allowing four runs on four hits and three walks while recording only one out (on a strikeout).

EDGE Analysis

The Rangers carried a three-run lead into the ninth inning, and they turned to Hernandez to slam the door. The righty reliever clearly didn't have his best stuff, as he threw only 14 of 26 pitches for strikes and walked the first two batters he faced. Boston followed with a pair of hits to plate two runs, and after Hernandez struck out J.D. Martinez and issued an intentional walk to Christian Arroyo, two more Red Sox hits plated the tying and winning runs. Hernandez entered the contest with a 1.69 ERA, but that number ballooned to 3.86 following his first loss and first blown save of the campaign.

Hernandez struck out one over a scoreless eighth inning to earn a hold in Friday's 7-6 win over the Tigers.

EDGE Analysis

Hernandez has been the primary closer for the Rangers since late July, but interim manager Tony Beasley had the right-hander pitch the eighth inning in what was heading to be a save situation -- the Rangers were leading 7-4. Instead, Beasley left the ninth inning for Jose Leclerc, who allowed a pair runs while converting the save. It was the second time this week that Beasley skipped Hernandez for a save -- Matt Moore closed out a win Monday.

Hernandez (1-0) earned the extra-inning win Saturday over the Twins. He allowed an unearned run on a hit and a walk while striking out one over two innings.

EDGE Analysis

Hernandez was kept in the game for the 10th inning after pitching a scoreless ninth. The right-hander walked Carlos Correa, got two outs, allowed a run to score on an error and then got Jose Miranda to fly out to end the threat. This was Hernandez's first win in 12 appearances this year, and he's maintained a 2.08 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 11:5 K:BB through 12 innings. He's functioned as the head of the Rangers' closer committee with Joe Barlow (finger) out -- Hernandez has four saves, all since July 31, and Jose Leclerc is the only other reliever on the team to log a save in that span.

Hernandez picked up the save in Monday's 2-1 win over the Athletics. He threw a perfect inning with two strikeouts.

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old has emerged as the top option for the rangers in the ninth inning with Joe Barlow and Dennis Santana on the shelf and Brett Martin failing to get the job done. Hernandez has recorded four saves since July 31 and owns a healthy 2.45 ERA in 11 innings this season. Hernandez should continue to be the top option to close out games for Texas as long as the bullpen remains hampered.

Hernandez pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn the save in a 7-4 victory over the Mariners on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Hernandez continues to look good as the Texas closer. He now has three saves since July 31 and has pitched well this season with a 1.10 WHIP over 10 appearances. Rangers manager Chris Woodward will likely keep handing him the ball as long as he remains effective, although former closer Joe Barlow (finger) could be a factor again once he's activated from the IL.

Hernandez saved Thursday's 3-2 win against the White Sox, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning.

EDGE Analysis

Hernandez received a second straight save chance and delivered again with a stress-free outing. The 26-year-old has recorded saves in two of his last three appearances with five strikeouts across the outings and appears to be the new favorite to close games for Texas. He features a 2.57 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with seven strikeouts in seven innings.

Hernandez saved Sunday's 5-2 win against the Angels, striking out one in a 1-2-3 ninth inning.

EDGE Analysis

Making his fifth appearance of the campaign, manager Chris Woodward turned to Hernandez after Texas took the lead in the top of the ninth and the 26-year-old delivered an easy frame. Texas has featured a revolving door at closer of late and Hernandez may be the new favorite, as he's permitted four baserunners with four strikeouts across five scoreless innings this season.

Hernandez allowed one hit and struck out one over a scoreless inning in Saturday's 3-2 extra-inning loss to Seattle.

EDGE Analysis

Hernandez was activated off the 60-day injured list and put to work immediately in an important spot with the Rangers trailing by one in the seventh inning. This was the first time he's thrown in a regular-season game since 2020, a year in which he had a 2.90 ERA and was an anchor at the back end of the bullpen. He was slated for a similar role prior to undergoing Tommy John elbow surgery in April of 2021 and could resume his role as a key component late in games in 2022.