Davey Martinez decided he needed Yadiel Hernández’s bat in the lineup, with the 33-year-old outfielder swinging it early this season, and in three games leading up to Wednesday’s matchup with the Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin, Florida, he had Hernández hitting second, trying to ride a hot bat.
Hernández responded with six hits (one home run) in 14 plate appearances in three games, over which he walked twice and struck out twice.
While Hernández’s outfield game is still a work in progress, he’s hit wherever he’s played, be it in Cuba, the minors, or now the majors, and Martinez’s club can use more power now with Juan Soto on the 10-Day IL and sluggers Josh Bell and Kyle Schwarber struggling at the start of the season.