The Atlanta Braves have built a respectable bullpen ahead of the 2026 season. It's highlighted by a couple of very talented arms in Raisel Iglesias and Robert Suarez. It's a pretty dependable pen in the middle innings as well with Aaron Bummer, Dylan Lee, Tyler Kinley, and Joel Payamps.
However, Atlanta is lacking a bit in the flamethrower department. Right now, Suarez is the pitcher with the highest fastball velocity in the pen. The Braves really could use another high-velocity reliever to use in the middle innings.
Daysbel Hernandez could be that option for Walt Weiss and company. Unfortunately, a lack of control and inability to stay healthy have kept him from being a consistent option for the Braves. If he could get healthy and be more consistently in the zone, Atlanta would have a couple of incredible righty power arms at their disposal.
Daysbel Hernandez getting healthy would give the Braves a critical power arm
Hernandez ended the season on the 60-day IL with right shoulder inflammation. He also suffered a right forearm strain in July. This is an injury he also dealt with during the 2023 season. That's not the kind of injury you want a pitcher to experience.
When Hernandez was on the field last season, he pitched fairly well. Hernandez carried a 3.41 ERA over 37 innings with 43 walks and 65 strikeouts. Not too bad, but that walk total is very alarming. However, his fastball velocity remained elite at an average of 97.7 mph.
Hernandez also excelled with his whiff, hard-hit, and ground ball rates as well. Unfortunately, his slider just wasn't nearly as effective as opponents batted .238 against it in 2025, compared to .135 in 2024. A lot of that comes from his lack of control.
It's fair to assume that some of this was due to his health as well. Hopefully, he's able to heal this offseason fully and come back firing on all cylinders. Pitching coach Jeremy Hefner will do his best to work on improving his on-field performance.