King F¨¦lix has Minors deal with O's
The Orioles have agreed to a Minor League contract with former Cy Young Award winner F¨¦lix Hern¨¢ndez, the club announced on Wednesday. The deal will pay him $1 million if he makes the big league club, a source told MLB.com¡¯s Mark Feinsand.
Hern¨¢ndez, 34, didn¡¯t pitch in 2020, as he elected not to play during the pandemic-shortened season.
Before that, the right-hander was attempting to make the Braves¡¯ Opening Day roster on a Minor League deal. He pitched well during Spring Training, allowing three runs and striking out 14 batters in 13 2/3 innings.
Hern¨¢ndez is looking to revitalize his career after posting a 5.42 ERA over 60 games (59 starts) in his final three seasons with the Mariners.
Hern¨¢ndez made his MLB debut for Seattle at age 19 in 2005 and went on to become one of the game¡¯s top aces, registering a 3.16 ERA (126 ERA+) with 2,264 strikeouts in 2,415 2/3 innings over his first 12 seasons.
He won the American League Cy Young Award in 2010 after leading the Majors in ERA (2.27) over a career-high 249 2/3 innings.
The Orioles also announced Minor League deals with infielders Seth Mejias-Brean and Malquin Canelo; left-hander Wade LeBlanc; and right-handers Dusten Knight, Konner Wade and Spenser Watkins.