MWL1 Peoria Chiefs

Hernandez Returns to Chiefs from Suspended List

Published on May 31, 2008 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Peoria Chiefs News Release


PEORIA, IL- The Peoria Chiefs in conjunction with the Chicago Cubs have announced that starting pitcher Robert Hernandez has been reinstated from the suspended list, and he will start for the Chiefs Tuesday in Appleton, WI. To make room for Hernandez on the 25-man roster, pitcher Alberto Cabrera has been reassigned to Extended Spring Training in Mesa, AZ.

Hernandez, 19, was originally scheduled to be the Chiefs Opening Day pitcher, but he was suspended April 3 after he tested positive for the steroid stanozolol. Under the minor league drug program standards, a first offense failed test results in a 50-game suspension. The Chiefs played their 50th game of the season last Sunday, and Hernandez will start on the road against Wisconsin on Monday June 2 at 12:05 PM. Hernandez has spent the last two months at the Cubs' Spring Training complex in Mesa, AZ, participating in workouts and exhibition games. Last season, the right-hander joined the Chiefs in Beloit on May 19 and finished the season in the rotation. In 20 starts, Hernandez was 8-9 with a 4.34 ERA and 71 strikeouts in 103 2/3 innings. The Venezuelan native signed with the Cubs in July 2005 and won't turn 20 until October.

Cabrera started the season with the Chiefs and picked up his first win in his opening start on April 6 in Burlington. After a personal six-game losing streak, Cabrera earned his second win in his last start on May 24 against Wisconsin. Cabrera started game two of the doubleheader Saturday night and won 3-1. He tossed five innings while striking out six and allowing three hits. The 19-year-old went 3-6 in 12 outings this season with a 5.58 ERA. He surrendered seven home runs and struck out 35 while walking 29 over 50 innings. Last season, Cabrera went 3-3 with a 5.40 ERA in nine starts for Short-Season A Boise.

The Chiefs play four games in Wisconsin and then return home for a four-game series against the Clinton LumberKings June 5-8. Hung-Wen Chen (0-3, 3.30) will start Sunday at 5:05 PM while Billy Muldowney (1-0, 2.25) starts Monday. The Chiefs have won nine of their last 11 and jumped into sixth place with the Saturday night doubleheader sweep of Cedar Rapids.

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