Hanwha Eagles Release Pitcher Wilkel Hernandez After 3-6 Season

The Hanwha Eagles announced Sunday they have cut ties with starting pitcher Wilkel Hernandez after the Venezuelan right-hander went 3-6 with a 4.92 ERA in 16 starts during his first Korea Baseball Organization season. Hernandez opened the year as the Eagles' starter on March 28.

He posted a 5.72 ERA over his first six starts through April before improving to a 2.70 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 20 innings across four May starts.

The right-hander was pulled after 1 1/3 innings on July 4. On July 18 he was automatically ejected in the first inning after hitting Kiwoom Heroes batter Matt Davidson in the head with a fastball at Daejeon Hanwha Life Ballpark. The Eagles signed Hernandez and Owen White in the offseason to replace Cody Ponce and Ryan Weiss, who both signed with major league clubs.

White recorded a 5-5 mark and 3.09 ERA. Hanwha stands at 40-43-2 and trails the Doosan Bears by 3 1/2 games for the final postseason berth. The club reached the Korean Series as runners-up to the LG Twins last year.