Hernandez (elbow) is "perhaps just weeks away" from returning to the mound, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Hernandez was one of the early victims of last year's Tommy John epidemic, requiring the season-ending procedure last April. The right-handed reliever remains limited to throwing long toss off flat ground for the time being, but he isn't ruling out being available by Opening Day. Because of his long absence, it's more likely he'll require a rehab assignment in the minors to start the season before rejoining the Diamondbacks a few weeks later in April or May.

Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale said that Hernandez is slightly ahead of Patrick Corbin in his recovery from Tommy John surgery. Although he did not specify a timetable for Hernandez, the team expects Corbin to return in June.

Hernandez had surgery in early April after receiving the diagnosis of a torn UCL in March. Once he's healthy, Hernandez should slot into a late-inning role for the Diamondbacks again, but improved bullpen depth will allow the team to ease him back toward high-leverage innings. Most likely, Hernandez will start the season the 15-day DL with the hope of returning at some point in May.

Diamondbacks transferred RHP David Hernandez from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list.

The move clears a spot for Mike Bolsinger on the 40-man roster. Hernandez had Tommy John surgery on April 1 and will miss the entire 2014 season.

David Hernandez will undergo Tommy John surgery Tuesday.

Surgery was decided after Hernandez met with Dr. James Andrews on Monday. Hernandez will miss the entire 2014 season.

Diamondbacks placed RHP David Hernandez on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 27, with a torn right elbow ligament.

Hernandez will visit Dr. James Andrews for a second opinion on his right elbow Monday, at which point it's likely Tommy John surgery will be recommended. He'll obviously miss the 2014 season.

David Hernandez will visit Dr. James Andrews for a second opinion on his right elbow Monday.

An MRI Friday showed the right-hander has a torn ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow, so he's likely headed to season-ending surgery. If Andrews' diagnosis confirms the injury, Hernandez will likely undergo the surgery Tuesday.

An MRI has revealed that David Hernandez has a torn ulnar collateral ligament.

It's more awful news for the D'Backs, as they're going to lose one of the key cogs in their bullpen for the season. Hernandez will get a second opinion, but Tommy John surgery is almost surely on the horizon. The hard-throwing has posted a 3.42 ERA with 241 strikeouts over 200 innings across the last three seasons for Arizona.

Diamondbacks recalled RHP David Hernandez from Triple-A Reno.

Hernandez has spent the past few weeks trying to right the ship at the minor league level, posting a 0.93 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 12/5 K/BB ratio over 9 2/3 innings. With the struggles at the backend of the Diamondbacks bullpen this season, he could quickly work his way back into a late-innings role.

Diamondbacks optioned RHP David Hernandez to Triple-A Reno.

It's been a nightmare season for Hernandez, who owns a 5.59 ERA after allowing two more runs Saturday night. He's more talented than what he's shown this year, so maybe some time in Triple-A will get him straightened out. A corresponding roster move will be made on Sunday.

David Hernandez struck out two in a perfect ninth Friday to earn a save against the Brewers.

The Diamondbacks used both J.J. Putz and Heath Bell in the eighth tonight and then picked Hernandez over Brad Ziegler for the ninth. It all worked out fine, even though Hernandez has given up seven runs over his last 5 1/3 innings of work. On the season, Hernandez has given up eight homers in 41 1/3 innings, which isn't what one wants to see from a closer. It's as many as he allowed in 137 2/3 innings total in 2011-12. Obviously, Hernandez is in the mix for saves now, but he can't be counted on to help in the category.

With Heath Bell having pitched three straight days, David Hernandez got the call in the ninth on Friday and protected a one-run lead against the Phillies.

It was Hernandez's first save of the year. After a rough April, he's turned in four scoreless innings over the last week. The Diamondbacks would prefer Bell hold on to the closer's gig, but Hernandez is ready and waiting should Bell falter.

Called upon with J.J. Putz unavailable, David Hernandez blew a save against the Giants Wednesday, allowing a game-tying homer to Brandon Crawford in the ninth inning.

Hernandez had to pitch out of a jam even after allowing the one-out dinger, as he gave up a two-out single and a walk before getting Marco Scutaro to end the threat. Both Hernandez and Putz have struggled of late, but it will surely be Putz that gets the next save chance.

David Hernandez will play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.

He was previously committed to pitch for Mexico in the tournament, but will instead be used to replace Chris Perez (shoulder) on the Team USA roster. Hernandez posted a 2.50 ERA in 72 appearances as the Diamondbacks' primary setup man last season.

David Hernandez picked up his second save in two days with a perfect ninth Wednesday against the Dodgers.

With J.J. Putz nursing a sore back, Hernandez protected one-run leads in consecutive games. He has four saves and 22 holds to go along with his 2.43 ERA this season.

David Hernandez returned to action on Tuesday August 7.

David Hernandez said Monday that his right leg is doing better.

Hernandez was forced to exit Sunday's game after being hit in the lower right leg with a comebacker. It doesn't sound like a major concern.

Diamondbacks signed RHP David Hernandez to a two-year contract extension.

Financial terms have not yet been announced. The extension covers two of Hernandez's arbitration years, as he isn't eligible for free agency until after the 2015 season. The 27-year-old has been dynamite as a setup man for J.J. Putz since coming over via trade from Baltimore, posting a 3.23 ERA and 1.13 WHIP over 107 appearances. Whenever Putz's time runs out in the desert, Hernandez will likely take over as closer, which could make this deal a bargain.

David Hernandez pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings and was credited with a save Friday against the Cubs.

Hernandez entered a 6-1 game in the eighth, but since the tying run was on deck, it was a save situation. He got out of the jam and then pitched a perfect ninth for his second save of the season.

David Hernandez has allowed one run run since April 30.

The Arizona setup man struggled out of the gate this season but seems to have settled in nicely. Hernandez now boasts a 2.37 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 27/7 K/BB ratio through 19 innings of relief. He also has seven holds.

Diamondbacks setup man David Hernandez has fanned eight batters in 6 1/3 innings this season.

Hernandez is sporting an uninspiring 4.26 ERA, but it's a little too early to put much stock into rate stats. The 26-year-old setup man remains second in line for save opportunities in Arizona behind closer J.J. Putz.