Dodgers bolster their bullpen with Julián Fernández
Los Angeles, USA – The Los Angeles Dodgers have promoted Dominican pitcher Julián Fernández to the Major League team, as officially announced. This addition to the 40-man roster seeks to strengthen the team’s bullpen, which has been affected by several injuries to its pitching staff. Fernández, 29 years old, signed a minor league contract with the Dodgers during the offseason, after an outstanding performance in Mexican baseball, where he achieved an ERA of 1.82. In the current season, he has pitched 28 2/3 innings with an ERA of 4.08 in the Pacific Coast League, a league known for favoring hitters. His fastball averages 96.9 mph, and his changeup sits at 85.1 mph, which has allowed him to strike out 25.6% of the batters he has faced. The Dominican reliever had brief appearances with the Colorado Rockies in 2021, with an ERA of 10.80 in six games. Previously, he underwent Tommy John surgery after being selected in the Rule 5 Draft in 2018, which kept him on the injured list for two seasons. After a complicated stint with the Blue Jays in 2023 — where he was released with an ERA of 10.61 — Fernández resurfaced in Mexico, regaining his form and once again attracting the attention of MLB organizations.His arrival at the Dodgers represents a new opportunity on a team that needs immediate reinforcements in the bullpen, with 12 pitchers currently on the injured list.
With options remaining, Fernández could be used flexibly by the coaching staff while adjusting the roster ahead of the All-Star break and the upcoming trade deadline.
