Topic: Runelvys Hernandez

Runelvys Antonio Hernandez (born April 27, 1978 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) is a right-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Samsung Lions in the Korean Baseball Organization.

Hernandez made his major league debut July 15, 2002, with Kansas City Royals. His encouraging rookie campaign manifested itself in a 4-4 record with a 4.36 ERA in 74⅓ innings of work over 12 starts.

Initially thought of as the right-handed ace of the 2003 Royals team that posted the franchise's first winning record in nine seasons, Hernandez became the opening-day pitcher by winning Royals' manager Tony Peña's coin toss against left-hander Jeremy Affeldt. After spending the first five weeks on the leaderboard in almost every pitching category, Hernandez faltered as he tried to pitch through pain, and his season ended after 16 starts. He finished the season with a 7-5 record, but missed the entire 2004 season with Tommy John surgery.