Hernandez happy for shot with Braves

Reliever David Hernandez could have stayed with the Giants and begun the season in Triple-A, pitching in his hometown of Sacramento, Calif. But at 31 and coming off a pretty good year in his first full season following Tommy John surgery, he was more interested in opportunity than convenience.

He signed a minor league deal Sunday with the Braves, believing he could earn a spot on the major league roster if given a chance, which the team said it would provide.

“It was a hectic last 48 hours, but I’m happy I found a spot with a team that wanted me,” Hernandez said Monday after flying from Arizona and joining the Braves for Monday night’s Grapefruit League game against the Tigers.

“I asked for my release from the Giants and spent all day Saturday trying to weigh options. It was a tough decision, but I think at the end, it was a good decision and I’m ready to just compete and win a job. It was tough to say no (to Triple-A in Sacramento), but I felt this was the best opportunity for me and my family.”

With right-handers Mauricio Cabrera (sore elbow) and Rule 5 pick Armando Rivero (sore shoulder) likely to start the season on the disabled list, Hernandez, who has a mid-90s fastball, might have a shot at winning one of the final bullpen spots. A non-roster invitee to Giants camp, he pitched only 5⅔ innings in six appearances this spring and had a 4.76 ERA, allowing seven hits, three runs and three walks with four strikeouts.

“I think the Giants had, like, 80 guys in camp” at the start of spring training, he said. “There were a lot of pitchers. It’s tough to get innings for everybody and hopefully I can just get work in (here). I think if I get work in, I’ll get more consistency.”

Last season with Philadelphia, Hernandez posted a 3.84 ERA in 70 appearances. He had an impressive 80 strikeouts in 72⅔ innings but also allowed 77 hits and 32 walks. — DAVID O’BRIEN