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Nationals' Yadiel Hernandez to make first MLB start at age 32

Originally posted on DC Sports King | By King Motley | Last updated 9/12/20

Yadiel Hernandez’s journey to Major League Baseball will be complete Saturday night. The 32-year old Cuban-born outfielder will get his first MLB start for the Washington Nationals when they take on the Atlanta Braves.

Yadiel Hernández will start tonight playing LF and hitting ninth. It is not technically his debut, since he pinch-ran the other night. But this will bring his first start, AB, time in the field, etc. An awesome story continues.
— Jesse Dougherty (@dougherty_jesse) September 12, 2020

Hernandez will start in left field and bat ninth in the Nationals’ lineup. He made his MLB debut Thursday, as a pinch-runner. Now he will get the opportunity to get his first full action after a long journey.

The Nationals selected Hernandez’s contract Thursday. He replaced the injured Howie Kendrick on their active roster.

Nationals lineup against the Braves tonight:

Adam Eaton RF
Trea Turner SS
Juan Soto DH
Eric Thames 1B
Brock Holt 3B
Yan Gomes C
Luis García 2B
Michael A. Taylor CF
Yadiel Hernández LF

Patrick Corbin P
— Jesse Dougherty (@dougherty_jesse) September 12, 2020

Hernandez started his baseball career in 2009 with the Mantzas Cocodrilos of the Cuban National Series at the age of 21. He defected from Cuba in 2015 and signed with the Nationals in 2016 for a $200,000 signing bonus.

He has worked his way through the Nationals farm system the past three seasons.

Washington hopes he can provide them a strong left-handed bat. He can also play left field with Juan Soto at DH for the time being with elbow soreness. Last season, Hernandez hit .323/.406/.604 with 33 home runs and 90 runs batted in at Triple-A affiliate Fresno.

This article first appeared on DC Sports King and was syndicated with permission.

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