The Arizona Diamondbacks called up their No. 27 prospect, Jose Fernandez, for their Tuesday game against the Detroit Tigers.
Fernandez started the game at third base, going 3-for-4. He hit two home runs, including a three-run go-ahead home run off of future Hall of Famer Kenley Jansen in the eighth inning.
Fernandez singled in his first at-bat. He homered in his second at-bat to get the Diamondbacks on the board. They trailed 5-1 for most of the game, but put up six runs in the eighth inning to come back and win.
Fernandez became the eighth player in MLB history to homer twice in his debut. After the game, he noted that he hopes to hit many more in a Diamondbacks uniform.
“I hope there are many more, with God’s luck,” Fernandez said through an interpreter during his postgame interview on the field. I was ready. They just told me to stay ready. Gloy to God that I was able to be successful.”
Fernandez made quite the impression, but it was something his teammates expected out of him. Starting pitcher Brandon Pfaadt noted that the team noticed how good he was in spring training, so they were expecting him in the big leagues.
“He was impressive this spring,’’ Pfaadt said, per USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, “so we figured we’d see him at some point.’’
A go-ahead home run in an MLB debut is already a huge accomplishment, but to do it off Jansen is something else. Jansen has 477 career saves, and Fernandez knew what he was up against.
“I know he’s a good pitcher. I’ve seen him since I was a youngster. I was just looking out for a good pitch to do my job.”
Fernandez noted that his parents were waiting by the phone for him to call them. His call-up happened so quickly that his parents could not be in attendance, but surely they were tuned in from Venezuela.
After the game, Fernandez noted how he hoped to experience the World Baseball Classic with his home country. Venezuela won the World Baseball Classic, and after the game, Fernandez started to say he hopes to be part of the next tournament, but he was cut off by Eduardo Rodriguez, who started the championship game for Venezuela.
“Oh, he’ll be at the next one all right,’’ Rodriguez said, per Nightengale.
Photo: Arizona Diamondbacks’ Jose Fernandez gets a Gatorade bath after hitting two home runs and four RBI’s in his first major league baseball game against the Detroit Tigers Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
