CLEVELAND, Ohio — A Guardians minor league reliever suffered injuries during a car crash early Sunday, according to reports out of his native Venezuela.
Carlos Hernández, 28, who appeared in five games out of the bullpen for Cleveland during the 2025 season, was pulled from the wreckage of an auto accident on the road toward San Felix in Bolivar, in eastern Venezuela.
Hernández and his cousin were pulled from the wreckage, according to reports. The right-hander suffered a fracture in his left arm and his right leg.
Guardians officials were unable to comment on the matter Sunday afternoon, citing privacy concerns and potential HIPAA restrictions.
Hernández, who pitches for Leones del Caracas in the Venezuelan winter league, has pitched parts of six seasons in Major League Baseball for the Royals, Phillies, Tigers and Guardians.
Cleveland claimed him off waivers from the Tigers at the end of July, a few days after Emmanuel Clase was placed on paid leave due to a gambling investigation. Hernández was outrighted off the roster weeks later and finished the season with Triple-A Columbus, where he appeared in seven games and struck out nine batters across 7 2/3 innings while walking two.
He elected free agency in October, but signed a minor league deal with Cleveland on Nov. 7 with an invite to major league spring training.
Hernández was the first step Cleveland took this offseason toward rebuilding its bullpen, adding right-handers including Shawn Armstrong, Connor Brogdon, Collin Holderman and Rule 5 draft pick Peyton Pallette. Cleveland also signed Codi Heuer and Pedro Avila to minor league contracts with invites to major league spring training.