Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Andrew Joseph

Angel Hernandez hasn’t worked a game since April 3 and MLB fans are starting to notice

Angel Hernandez MLB Baseball

When it comes to MLB’s least popular umpires, Angel Hernandez is often the first name fans and players mention. He’s among the worst-performing umpires behind that plate and controversial when working around the bases.

Every team knows they’re in for a long night when Hernandez’s name pops up on crew assignments. But this season has been different. Hernandez has quietly disappeared from MLB ballparks for the past six weeks. In fact, he hasn’t worked a game since April 3 — his only game this season — when he was stationed at first base for the Giants’ game against the White Sox.

It’s getting to the point where people are starting to notice his absence.

The Major League Baseball Umpires Association hadn’t commented about any sort of leave, suspension or retirement for Hernandez. He worked the World Baseball Classic. And despite filing a lawsuit against MLB for racial discrimination in 2017, Hernandez had continued to regularly work MLB games up until this past April. MLB blamed Hernandez’s lack of World Series assignments and crew promotions on his poor performance as an umpire.

But if Hernandez’s absence is performance based, the timing and lack of announcement would be curious. He worked once during the first week of the season and just wasn’t heard from again.

Update: Director of Major League Umpires Randy Marsh told For The Win that he believed Hernandez’s absence was due to a “medical matter.”

Fans also had thoughts on the lack of Hernandez so far this season. Many also wished him well.

Save 20% at Nike this week

Score Nike sneakers, sweatshirts, shorts and more.
Shop Nike

This was how Twitter reacted

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Char your summer squash like a chef
Chef Tyler Fenton of BATA talks charring, cooking local and the bounty found in the 400 miles surrounding Tucson
Salon
Salon
What is the chemistry behind decaf?
"Decaffeination has a rich history, and now almost all coffee producers use one of three common methods"
Salon
Salon
Blake Lively Expertly Shuts Down Ryan Reynolds Divorce Rumors
A commenter brought these rumors to her attention.
Marie Claire
Marie Claire
Worried about the health effects of the sugar in your breakfast cereal? Little has changed since the days of ‘Unfrosted,’ the Pop-Tarts movie
While Jerry Seinfeld, Melissa McCarthy, Amy Schumer and Hugh Grant got top billing, sweet breakfast foods from the 1960s are arguably the real stars of the recent movie “Unfrosted,” a comedy loosely based on the invention of Pop-Tarts.
The Conversation
The Conversation
Retaining flavor while removing caffeine − a chemist explains the chemistry behind decaf coffee
For many people, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee is the start of a great day. But caffeine can cause headaches and jitters in others. That’s why many people reach for a decaffeinated cup instead.
The Conversation
The Conversation
Steak is off the menu for Argentinians as the country’s austerity policies bite
“Was the steak and wine as good as I’ve heard?” Undeniably the most common question I’m asked when I return from Argentina. And while my answer is – obviously – yes, the question is asked with good reason. The association with beef and steakhouses (parrillas in Spanish) and world-class malbecs…
The Conversation
The Conversation
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play