What happened: Left-handed reliever Darwinzon Hernández is negotiating a return to Major League Baseball after spending the past four seasons with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, according to Joel Sherman. The New York Mets are among the clubs that have checked in on his market. Hernández previously pitched in the majors for the Boston Red Sox from 2019 to 2022.
Why it matters: The Mets enter the offseason assessing left-handed relief options to bolster their bullpen depth ahead of 2027. Hernández brings previous big-league experience and an established track record as a high-strikeout arm during his tenure abroad.
By the numbers: Hernández posted a 1.41 ERA with 55 strikeouts across 44.2 innings in Japan last season.
What to watch: Talks will continue as MLB clubs finalize offseason bullpen targets heading into the winter.