Guardians’ surprise September addition completes long road back from serious car accident

GuardiansCarlos Hernandez, Cleveland Guardians.Joshua Gunter, cleveland.comCLEVELAND, Ohio — Daniel Schneemann fit the description. Carlos Hernández provided the surprise.The Guardians recalled Schneemann from Triple-A Columbus and selected Hernández’s contract ahead of Tuesday’s series opener against the Blue Jays as major league rosters expanded from 26 to 28 players for September.Schneemann’s return was expected after Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti outlined Sunday what Cleveland wanted from its additional position player: defensive versatility and someone capable of contributing off the bench without needing regular at-bats.Here’s why September baseball for the Guardians is going to be a wild rideThe more Ralphy Velazquez homers, the less likely Cleveland is to call him upThe day Cleveland walked into Yankee Stadium and won, 22-0That describes Schneemann, who can play virtually anywhere on the field and gives manager Stephen Vogt another left-handed bat, pinch-running option and late-inning defensive replacement.Hernández’s path back to the majors was considerably less predictable.The right-hander suffered a broken leg and broken arm in a serious car accident in his native Venezuela during the offseason. Hernández had signed a minor league contract with Cleveland on Nov. 7, 2025, that included an invitation to major league spring training, but the accident delayed his opportunity to compete for a roster spot.Instead, Hernández spent months rehabbing before finally returning to game action this summer.The 29-year-old made 16 minor league appearances, including three starts, and posted a 3.93 ERA with two saves. He struck out 25 and walked six in 18 1/3 innings while allowing 15 hits.Now he is back in the majors.Hernández brings plenty of experience to Cleveland’s bullpen. He has appeared in 191 major league games, including 25 starts, over parts of six seasons. He owns a 5.14 career ERA with 265 strikeouts in 299 2/3 innings.Cleveland had an opening on its 40-man roster after waiving infielder Gabriel Arias, clearing the spot needed to select Hernández’s contract. Schneemann was already on the 40-man roster.Schneemann returns after being optioned to Columbus in July.Before the move, he batted .206 with six home runs, 28 RBI and six stolen bases in 252 at-bats for Cleveland. He posted a .275 on-base percentage and .596 OPS while seeing time at second base, third base, shortstop and all three outfield positions.Schneemann responded to the demotion by batting .326 with a .457 on-base percentage and .990 OPS in 92 at-bats for Columbus. He hit three home runs, drove in 10 and stole four bases.His role in Cleveland, however, figures to be different from that of an everyday September call-up.Antonetti said Sunday that the Guardians intend for the players already receiving regular playing time to continue getting most of the at-bats during the final month. That made versatility and the ability to stay ready while playing sporadically important considerations when deciding whom to add.Schneemann checks those boxes.Hernández checked a different one Tuesday, completing a long road back from an offseason accident that once put his entire 2026 season in doubt.Joe Noga has more than 25 years experience in Cleveland sports media with time spent covering Browns, Cavaliers and Indians/Guardians, as well as local high school and college sports and athletes. He covered a...This article was produced with assistance from AI tools and reviewed by Cleveland.com staff.