{"id":29169,"date":"2020-02-24T11:21:47","date_gmt":"2020-02-24T16:21:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonbaseball.com\/?p=29169"},"modified":"2020-02-24T11:53:55","modified_gmt":"2020-02-24T16:53:55","slug":"felix-hernandez-looking-to-win-a-spot-in-the-atlanta-braves-rotation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2020\/02\/24\/felix-hernandez-looking-to-win-a-spot-in-the-atlanta-braves-rotation\/","title":{"rendered":"F\u00e9lix Hern\u00e1ndez Looking to Win a Spot in the Atlanta Braves Rotation"},"content":{"rendered":"

“Frustrating” would be an understatement if you were describing F\u00e9lix Hern\u00e1ndez<\/a><\/strong>‘s 2019 season. Hern\u00e1ndez, 33, had spent the entirety of his 15-year career with the Seattle Mariners <\/a>before being signed<\/a> by the Atlanta Braves<\/a> this offseason. He was beloved by everyone in Seattle, earning him the nickname “King F\u00e9lix.” He even had his own personal cheering section in Safeco Field called “King’s Court.” In his time with the Mariners, he compiled 169 wins in 2,729.2 innings and was named an All-Star six times, as well as being the MLB wins leader in 2009 and the AL ERA leader in 2010 and 2014. He also won the Cy Young Award in 2010 and pitched a perfect game in 2012.<\/p>\n

With all of his success and popularity in Seattle, it seemed like he would always be a fixture in the Emerald City. But after an injury-plagued campaign last season, Hern\u00e1ndez became a free agent for the first time in his career. That’s when Atlanta swooped in and agreed to terms with the veteran starter on a one-year, $1 million deal. Atlanta believed he had something left in the tank, and, so far, Hern\u00e1ndez is showing signs that he indeed does have a little something left. As a result, he is looking to win a spot in the Braves rotation and join a contending ball club as he tries to get that much-elusive World Series ring.<\/p>\n

F\u00e9lix Hern\u00e1ndez Looking to Win a Spot in the Atlanta Braves Rotation<\/h2>\n

Impressive Debut<\/h3>\n

With only 15 starts and pitching a career-low 71.2 innings in 2019, Hern\u00e1ndez wasn’t going to throw in the towel. After making his debut for the Braves in spring training, it appears that he made the right choice. Hern\u00e1ndez recorded a pair of strikeouts in two scoreless innings while throwing 30 pitches. Albeit he pitched just two innings and was facing the lowly Baltimore Orioles<\/a>, he had control of the fastball and his breaking pitches looked crisp. After all, Hern\u00e1ndez is solely focusing on building up his stamina and getting a feel for his arsenal in the early days of spring training.<\/p>\n

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F\u00e9lix Hern\u00e1ndez first strikeout in a @Braves<\/a> uniform. ? pic.twitter.com\/hNpZ1fzvNM Felix Hernandez<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 FOX Sports: Braves (@FOXSportsBraves) February 22, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n