What It Means:

Hernandez pitched a three-inning, simulated game on Wednesday with no setbacks, and is on schedule to rejoin the Mariners' rotation on July 20. After his Sunday start with Low-A Everett, he'll make a start with Triple-A Tacoma five days later, pending everything goes smoothly. Hernandez's last start was on May 27 because of a calf strain. He'll return to a 2.86 ERA in 63 innings pitched this season.

Hernandez owns a 4.19 xFIP this season, which implies he's had some luck on his side, and his 19.9 strikeout percentage is the lowest of his career. We project him to record a 3.86 ERA and an 18.6 strikeout percentage over the remaining course of the season.