Hernandez signed a minor-league contract with the Royals on Saturday.
Despite his struggles at Double-A Northwest Arkansas in 2023, the Royals will bring back Hernandez after non-tendering him Friday. The 22-year-old outfielder will likely return to Double-A to begin 2024.
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Diego Hernandez: Non-tendered by KC
Rotowire
Hernandez became a free agent Friday after being non-tendered by the Royals.
Hernandez was added to the Royals' 40-man roster last winter, but he struggled at the Double-A level in 2023 and might now have to move on to a new organization.
Royals' Diego Hernandez: Activated, sent to High-A
Rotowire
The Royals reinstated Hernandez (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list Monday and optioned him to High-A Quad Cities.
Though Hernandez began season on the Royals' IL after dislocating his shoulder in February and undergoing surgery, he wouldn't have been a serious candidate to make the Opening Day roster even if he had stayed healthy and performed well in spring training. The 22-year-old outfielder was added to the 40-man roster over the winter for the sole purpose of protecting him from the Rule 5 draft, but Hernandez is realistically at least a year or two away from reaching the big leagues. He posted a serviceable if unspectacular .736 OPS in 32 games at Double-A Northwest Arkansas at the tail end of the 2022 season, and he could eventually move up to the Royals' Texas League affiliate once he gets more at-bats in at Quad Cities. Hernandez had already appeared in eight rehab games between Quad Cities and the rookie-level Arizona Complex League prior to being activated.
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Royals' Diego Hernandez: Initiates rehab assignment
Rotowire
Hernandez (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment Wednesday with the Royals' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate.
The 22-year-old outfielder is ready for his first game action of the season after he had been sidelined since late February while recovering from surgery to address a dislocated right shoulder. Because he was protected from the Rule 5 Draft over the winter, Hernandez resides on the Royals' 60-day injured list, but he'll most likely be optioned to Double-A Northwest Arkansas once his 20-day rehab window comes to an end.
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Royals' Diego Hernandez: Moves to 60-day IL
Rotowire
Hernandez (shoulder) was placed on the 60-day injured list Thursday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Hernandez dislocated his shoulder in February and will now be forced to miss the first two months of the season at a minimum. When he is activated, he'll likely take on a significant role at Double-A Northwest Arkansas.
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Royals' Diego Hernandez: Optioned to Double-A
Rotowire
Hernandez (shoulder) was optioned to Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Friday.
After dislocating his shoulder in late-February, Hernandez will miss the first couple months of the season. The 22-year-old outfielder slashed .298/.357/.379 through 141 Double-A plate appearances last season
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Royals' Diego Hernandez: Facing extended absence
Rotowire
Hernandez was diagnosed with a dislocated right shoulder Sunday and is expected to be sidelined 3-to-4 months , Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Hernandez suffered the injury Saturday on a diving catch in the outfield, and he'll be unavailable for at least the first couple months of the season. The 22-year-old was added to Kansas City's 40-man roster in November in order to protect him from the Rule 5 draft after he posted a .754 OPS between the High-A and Double-A levels last season.
