Guardians' Carlos Hernandez Recovering from Car Accident

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Cleveland Guardians pitcher Carlos Hernandez is making progress in his recovery from a car accident in January that left him with fractures to his left arm and right leg. Hernandez is still wearing a cast on his injured arm and using a crutch to walk, so he is not expected to participate in spring training workouts anytime soon. The 28-year-old signed a minor-league deal with the Guardians in November and was expected to join their Triple-A affiliate in Columbus once healthy.

Why it matters

Hernandez's recovery timeline will be important for the Guardians' pitching depth, as he was projected to provide bullpen support at the Triple-A level this season. The team will need to monitor his progress closely and determine when he may be able to return to game action.

The details

Hernandez suffered the injuries in a car accident on January 11 while in Venezuela. He is still wearing a cast on his left arm and using a crutch to get around, over a month after the incident. The right-hander signed a minor-league deal with the Guardians in November and was expected to pitch out of the bullpen for their Triple-A affiliate in Columbus once healthy.

• Hernandez was involved in a car accident on January 11, 2026.
• It has been over a month since the accident occurred.

What’s next

The Guardians will need to closely monitor Hernandez's recovery progress and determine when he may be able to return to game action, likely at their Triple-A affiliate in Columbus.