Guardians release pitcher who was signed in the wake of Emmanuel Clase’s suspension 

At the end of July, the Cleveland Guardians’ bullpen was in free fall. Emmanuel Clase had just been suspended indefinitely as a part of a sports betting investigation and Cade Smith’s first chance at picking up a save went horrible. It felt like another instance of the Guardians hitting rock bottom. 

And, in response to that, the Guardians shocked the baseball world by signing… Carlos Hernández, a pitcher who recorded a 6.69 ERA in 36 1/3 innings with the Royals and Phillies. 

And, in the end, Hernandez only ended up pitching seven innings with the Guardians before being designated for assignment. He’ll get another chance to stick around with another major league team this offseason, as he elected minor league free agency over the weekend. 

Guardians minor league reliever elects free agency 

While major leaguers on expiring contracts don’t officially become free agents until after the World Series, eligible minor leaguers can elect free agency at any point during the postseason so long as they were outrighted off their team’s 40-man rosters during the 2025 season without being added back.

Hernández fits into that category, as he was outrighted off the Guardians’ 40-man roster at the end of August as the corresponding move for Parker Messick’s recall. Hernández ended up posting a 3.86 ERA in seven innings with the Guardians while working almost exclusively in low-leverage situations. 

That usage kind of sums up Hernández’s career usage. He put together two seasons with an ERA under 3.50 with the Royals, but they designated him for assignment during spring training. 

After being designated for assignment, he was claimed by the Phillies, where he had a 5.26 ERA in 25 2/3 innings. They cut him loose in the middle of June, where he briefly played for the Tigers before being designated for assignment and claimed by the Guardians. 

While Hernández has a 5.14 ERA, he should have plenty of suitors in free agency thanks to his electric fastball (97.7 mile per hour), team control (he won’t be a free agent until 2028) and the fact that he’ll be a minor league free agent so he won’t take up a 40-man roster spot in the offseason. 

He also put up solid numbers in Triple-A. After allowing three runs in his first outing for the Clippers, he allowed just one run over his final 6 2/3 innings of the season. 

While the Guardians bullpen ended up finding its footing at the end of the season, they were able to do so without Hernández, which led to him becoming expendable. 

While Hernández becoming a free agent doesn't the move the needle much, it does serve as a prelude for what should be a busy free agency period for the Guardians.