Roberto Hernandez held the Red Sox to three runs over seven innings in Tuesday's 8-3 victory.

Hernandez struck out seven while yielding seven hits and walking a pair. Rays manager Joe Maddon decided to send him out for the eighth inning even though he'd already thrown 113 pitches, but Hernandez was then removed after hitting a batter and seeing another one reach on an error. Predictably, the sinkerballer has been inconsistent this season, posting a 4.91 ERA and 1.33 WHIP. He'll get the Royals at home next.

Roberto Hernandez allowed only an unearned run in 8 2/3 innings of the Rays' 3-1 victory over the Marlins on Wednesday.

There's no question Hernandez had it working, but the Marlins continue to be star-makers for opposing pitchers as well. Marlins hitters could muster just three hits against the right-hander, with the only run allowed coming on an error on the second Marlins batter of the game. The win moved Hernandez to 3-5 on the year. His next start will come Tuesday against the Tigers.

Rays manager Joe Maddon said Friday that despite his recent struggles, he didn't anticipate any discussion about dropping Roberto Hernandez from the rotation.

After Friday's disaster, Hernandez owns a horrifying 5.73 ERA and 1.37 WHIP on the season. With Chris Archer pitching well at Triple-A, and Jake Odorizzi already in the rotation, if Hernandez continues to struggle he could get booted from the rotation once David Price is able to return. He shouldn't be trusted in any fantasy format at this point.

Roberto Hernandez was touched up for five runs over four innings Friday in a loss to the Yankees.

Hernandez completed six innings in six out of his first seven starts, but he was pulled after two innings last time out and had another early exit Friday night. He gave up six hits (including a two-run homer to Brett Gardner) and three walks in the loss and has now allowed eight long balls over his last five starts. With an ugly 5.73 ERA on the year, he shouldn't be trusted in most fantasy leagues.

Roberto Hernandez allowed just one run over six innings but took a no-decision as the Blue Jays beat the Rays on Tuesday.

The right-hander has been up and down this year, but Tuesday was a step in the right direction. He allowed just an Adam Lind solo home run in the second inning before shutting down the Jays bats the next four innings. He deserved better than a no-decision, but the bullpen let him down. His record stands at 1-4. He'll search for his second win of the year against the Padres on Sunday.

Roberto Hernandez was tagged for five runs in six innings Friday in a loss to the White Sox.

A disappointing follow-up to his impressive outing on Sunday, Hernandez allowed eight hits, including three home runs. He gave up just two home runs over his first four starts combined. While his ERA jumped up to 5.28 with the loss, he struck out five and walked none and now has a 30/10 K/BB ratio in 30 2/3 innings. We wouldn't run him out there outside of AL-only leagues, though.

Roberto Hernandez limited the A's to one earned run over six innings Sunday in an 8-1 Rays win.

It was his first victory since dropping the name "Fausto Carmona." He allowed three walks but yielded only three hits and struck out seven Oakland batters. Hernandez will carry a 1-3 record, 4.74 ERA and 1.30 WHIP into his next scheduled outing against the White Sox.

Roberto Hernandez allowed five runs -- three earned -- in 5 1/3 innings as the Rays lost to the Orioles on Tuesday.

It was actually a mildly positive start for the right-hander, as he struck out seven Orioles. Still, he's now got a 5.79 ERA in three starts and offers very little in terms of fantasy value. He's also blocking some players who could, which makes it a double whammy of sorts. He'll look for his first victory of the season against the A's on Sunday.

Roberto Hernandez allowed five runs -- four earned -- in 6 2/3 innings in the Rays' loss to the Rangers on Tuesday.

The start was reminiscent of his first start, which was also a loss. He's at least giving the Rays innings, which is nice for practical purposes but doesn't do much for fantasy teams. He'll look for his first win of the year Monday against the Red Sox.

Roberto Hernandez was OK in his debut with the Rays Thursday, yielding four runs on six hits and two walks over 6 2/3 innings in a loss to the Orioles.

Chris Davis dealt the two big blow, knocking a two-run homer in the second and a two-RBI double in the sixth. He did strike out seven on the day in what was a solid performance. Hernandez will have to pitch well in order to keep Jeff Niemann in the bullpen.

Roberto Hernandez has been named the Rays' No. 5 starter over Jeff Niemann.

Niemann out-pitched Hernandez this spring, posting a 2.92 ERA and 1.10 WHIP to Hernandez's 5.33 and 1.22 marks, respectively, but the Rays have decided to go with the sinkerballer. Hernandez hasn't done much since 2010, and, of course, was limited to three starts last season while going through his identity fiasco. The Rays have a way of bringing out the best in pitchers often, but our hopes aren't too high.

Roberto Hernandez was torched for nine runs in six innings by the Phillies on Tuesday.

Just when it looked like he had built a big lead in the fifth starter competition in Tampa Bay, Hernandez gave at least some of it back. That said, the outing probably wasn't as bad as it sounds; the sinkerballer didn't have a single regular playing behind him today. Hernandez walked just one batter, and he got 14 outs on the ground. As long as he can stay away from the walks, Hernandez will likely have more good outings than bad.

Roberto Hernandez limited the Blue Jays to a run and three hits over six innings in a no-decision Thursday.

Colby Rasmus' fifth-inning homer proved to be the only damage. Hernandez got 11 outs on the ground, as well as a couple of strikeouts. He didn't walk anyone. He's showed the Rays exactly what they were looking for when they signed him. Now the team just has to decide how it's going to sort things out between him and Jeff Niemann.

Roberto Hernandez allowed three runs -- two earned -- in five innings Saturday in his start versus the Red Sox.

Hernandez struck out five and got six outs on the ground, so he wasn't too bad. That said, he was facing a Red Sox lineup that didn't include one likely regular. Hernandez is battling Jeff Niemann for the fifth spot in Tampa Bay's rotation. The loser could end up in the pen, but it'd be no surprise to see Niemann get traded.

Roberto Hernandez allowed three runs -- two earned -- over four innings Monday night against the Twins.

It was the first shaky outing of the spring for the pitcher formerly known as Fausto Carmona, but he remains firmly in the running for the final spot in the Rays' starting rotation. The 32-year-old right-hander must out-duel Jeff Niemann down the stretch this spring.

Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times writes that Roberto Hernandez "looks like the strong favorite" to win the Rays' No. 5 starter job.

Jeff Niemann is the better pitcher, but he's injury-prone and the Rays might end up trading him before the end of camp. They also have Chris Archer nearly ready to claim a spot in the rotation. Hernandez has had a solid start in Grapefruit League action, allowing two runs over his first six frames. He posted a 5.25 ERA during his last full season, so his appeal in fantasy leagues is limited.

Roberto Hernandez gave up a run in 2 2/3 hitless innings Tuesday in the Rays' 8-5 defeat of the Twins.

The run came after Hernandez was pulled with two outs in the sixth. The former Fausto Carmona ended his outing with three strikeouts and two walks. If Hernandez remains effective, then it would become easier for the Rays to trade Jeff Niemann.

According to ESPN's Buster Olney, the Rays are "excited by what they see in" Roberto Hernandez.

Olney says Hernandez -- who was formerly known as Fausto Carmona -- has a shot to open the season as the Rays' No. 4 or No. 5 starter. The 32-year-old right-hander signed a one-year, $3.25 million contact in December and could be of value to AL-only fantasy leaguers in 2013.

Rays manager Joe Maddon said Thursday that Roberto Hernandez is in the mix for a spot in the starting rotation.

"I love the quality of the seven or eight, whatever it's going to be," said Maddon. "I love the quality of the decision-making there. It's going to be very difficult." The pitcher formerly known as Fausto Carmona signed a one-year, $3.25 million contract in December. The Rays have a wealth of options for their rotation, with fellow right-handers Jeff Niemann, Chris Archer and Jake Odorizzi also vying for a spot, so Hernandez will likely stick as a long reliever. The 32-year-old right-hander threw only 14 1/3 innings for the Indians in 2012 before going down with an ankle injury.

Rays signed RHP Roberto Hernandez to a one-year, $3.25 million contract.

The deal includes $1.85 million in incentives based on innings pitched and relief appearances. Hernandez -- formerly known as Fausto Carmona -- posted a 7.53 ERA in three starts with the Indians in 2012 and owns a 4.64 ERA over seven seasons in the majors. He'll function as depth for the Rays' starting rotation and bullpen.