Hernandez will start the Rangers' fourth spring game Wednesday against the Angels, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hernandez is not on the radar as a starter, so the decision to have him open a Cactus League game carries little significance. He's expected to serve a key role at the back end of the bullpen, possibly even as the closer.

Hernandez was mentioned as a possible closer by manager Chris Woodward, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hernandez had a breakout season in 2020, sporting a 2.90 ERA and 1.03 WHIP over 31 innings. Although he did not have a save opportunity last year, Hernandez often pitched in high-leverage situations earlier in the games for three or more outs. Woodward refused to commit to Jose Leclerc as the team's closer and is mulling over different options for his closer or a no-roles bullpen where usage is determined by game factors.

Hernandez (5-1) took the loss against Seattle on Saturday, pitching 1.1 innings and allowing three runs on four hits. He did not register a strikeout or a walk.

EDGE Analysis

Hernandez entered a tie game with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning and retired the final batter of the frame on a flyout. However, he was far less effective in the eighth, giving up three runs on three singles, a double and a hit batsman before recording his first out of the inning. Hernandez entered the contest with a sparkling 1.77 ERA but saw it swell to 2.91 after the rough outing.

Hernandez allowed one hit and one walk while striking out three over a scoreless 1.2 innings to earn a hold in Monday's 3-2 win over Oakland.

EDGE Analysis

Hernandez has been a vital member of the Rangers' bullpen, posting three relief wins and five holds while pitching to a 1.56 ERA over 17.1 innings. As the 11-17 Rangers consider their selling activity at the trade deadline, one player that could be moved is closer Rafael Montero. If they move him, Hernandez could replace him as the team's closer.

Hernandez allowed one run on two hits over 1.2 innings to pick up a hold in Saturday's 6-4 win over the Rockies.

EDGE Analysis

Hernandez entered with two on and one out in the seventh and induced a double-play grounder to sidestep danger. He relaxed in the eighth after the Rangers plated three insurance runs. The right-handed setup man has been a nice find for the Rangers, who have worked around injuries to important bullpen pieces. Hernandez has a 2.13 ERA (1.94 FIP) while striking out 15 over 12.2 innings.

Hernandez (3-0) earned the win Wednesday against the Mariners. He pitched a scoreless inning, allowing one hit and striking out one.

EDGE Analysis

Hernandez has gone six straight appearances without allowing a run, and he has posted an 11:2 K:BB in 8.0 innings (six games) during that stretch. He has been very effective this season and, in fact, has posted scoreless appearances in all but one of his outings so far. He owns a 1.64 ERA and a 0.82 WHIP -- as well as a 12.3 K/9 -- in 11.0 innings (nine games) to date.

Hernandez (2-0) allowed one walk and struck out four over two scoreless innings to earn the win Sunday against the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

Hernandez was the pitcher of record when the Rangers pushed four runs across the plate in the eighth inning. The right-hander has fanned eight batters in five innings. He'll be part of the late-inning crew with closer Jose Leclerc (shoulder) on the 45-day injured list. That closer-by-committee will grow by one this week when the Rangers activate lefty Joely Rodriguez (lat).

Hernandez is one of the relievers manager Chris Woodward is considering as a closer in the absence of Jose Leclerc (shoulder), T.R. Sullivan reports.

EDGE Analysis

When Leclerc was placed on the 45-day injured list, interest in possible replacements as a closer has surged. Woodward will not designate one arm as a closer and will deploy a closer-by-committee. He's leaning toward right-handers Hernandez and Edinson Volquez.

Hernandez worked around a hit and a walk in the eighth inning to record a hold in Friday's 1-0 win over the Rockies.

EDGE Analysis

The Rangers' bullpen, including its setup staff, has been hit by injuries, so manager Torey Lovullo went with Hernandez as the bridge to closer Jose Leclerc. The right-hander had a total of 16.2 innings of MLB experience prior to 2020, but it looks like he'll be a trusted reliever early in the season. If Hernandez thrives in the role, he could remain part of the high-leverage crew.

Texas manager Chris Woodward informed Hernandez that will be part of the Opening Day lineup, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hernandez, who has nine games of MLB experience, was not expected to break camp with the Rangers in spring training, but now -- due to a number of relievers being out -- Woodward is considering the young right-hander for high-leverage work in 2020. "We may not have the luxury of easing into things," Woodward said. "With a number of guys down, do I feel comfortable with him in a [significant] role? I do. I've loved what I've seen. I've loved his mentality. I can't wait to put him in a situation like that." Hernandez has been a star in camp, allowing just one run in six innings on five hits and one walk while striking out nine, according to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com. That comes after similar dominance in spring training when he struck out 13 over nine innings.