Diamondbacks 3B Jose Fernandez hits 2 homers in MLB debut

22-year-old Venezuelan becomes 7th player since 1900 to accomplish the feat

Apr. 2, 2026 at 5:35am

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Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Jose Fernandez hit two home runs, including a go-ahead three-run shot in the 8th inning, in his MLB debut against the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday night. The 22-year-old Venezuelan is just the 7th player since 1900 to hit two homers in his first big league game.

Why it matters

Fernandez's powerful debut is a rare and impressive accomplishment, joining the likes of Trevor Story, J.P. Arencibia, and other MLB legends. It showcases the young player's immense talent and potential, and is an exciting moment for the Diamondbacks organization and their fans.

The details

Fernandez, who was not on the Diamondbacks' opening day roster but was called up on Monday, finished the game with 3 hits and 4 RBIs. His first homer was a solo shot, and his second was a 3-run blast in the 8th inning that gave the Diamondbacks the lead. He became just the 7th player since 1900 to hit two homers in his MLB debut, joining an elite group that includes Trevor Story and J.P. Arencibia.

  • Fernandez made his MLB debut on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
  • His two-homer game occurred in the bottom of the 8th inning.

The players

Jose Fernandez

A 22-year-old Venezuelan third baseman making his MLB debut for the Arizona Diamondbacks after being called up from the minors.

Kenley Jansen

A four-time MLB All-Star closer who Fernandez hit the go-ahead 3-run homer against in the 8th inning.

Torey Lovullo

The manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks, who praised Fernandez's performance and development through the team's system.

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What they’re saying

“I returned to my days as a kid — just a dream come true.”

— Jose Fernandez

“He deserves all this credit. We're so proud of him. He's a player who came through our system, through our academy, and it's a great story, a great baseball story. We've known about Jose for a long time. We knew he was coming.”

— Torey Lovullo, Manager, Arizona Diamondbacks

What’s next

Fernandez will look to build on his impressive debut as he continues his rookie season with the Diamondbacks. The team and fans will be eager to see if he can maintain this level of production at the plate.

The takeaway

Jose Fernandez's two-homer debut is a rare and remarkable accomplishment, showcasing the 22-year-old's immense talent and potential. His performance is an exciting moment for the Diamondbacks organization and a testament to their player development system.