Houston Astros acquire former draft pick in trade with Padres

The Houston Astros made a trade Tuesday, trading cash to the San Diego Padres for right-handed pitcher Nick Hernandez, according to The Athletic.

Hernandez’s MiLB.com page indicated he was traded but did not disclose terms. He last pitched Friday for the Padres’ Triple-A affiliate, El Paso.

Hernandez, who made his Major League debut last year, is no stranger to the Astros. He was a standout pitcher at the University of Houston when he was selected in the eighth round of the 2016 MLB Draft by the Astros.

He is also from Missouri City, outside of Houston, and attended Dulles High School in Sugar Land, home of the Astros’ Triple-A affiliate.

Hernandez kicked off his final season with the Astros organization in 2022 with Sugar Land, where he appeared in 48 games and posted a 5–5 record and a 3.92 ERA with 77 strikeouts in a relief role.

Following the season, he became a free agent after spending seven years trying to fit in with Houston, which included missing the entire 2018 season due to Tommy John surgery.

He signed with San Diego, where he began the season with El Paso before being called up to make his MLB debut on September 12. He allowed four runs on three hits with five strikeouts in three innings.

After the season, the Padres moved him straight to Triple-A and he hit free agency. He then re-signed with San Diego on a minor league contract.

In 228 career minor league games, he is 17-16 with a 3.03 ERA with 30 saves and 407 strikeouts in 320.2 innings.