Julián Antonio Fernández (born December 5, 1995) is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Fernández signed with the Colorado Rockies in July 2012 as an international free agent.[1] He made his professional debut in 2013 with the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League (DSL) Rockies where he compiled a 1–1 win–loss record and a 7.94 earned run average (ERA) in ten games.[2] In 2014, he returned to the DSL, posting a 1–0 record and 5.60 ERA in 18 relief appearances, and in 2015, he split time between the DSL and the Rookie-level Grand Junction Rockies, pitching to a combined 3–2 record, 3.55 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 28 total games between the two clubs.[2] He spent 2016 with the Low-A Boise Hawks, going 1–2 with a 1.17 ERA in 21 appearances out of the bullpen[2] and spent the 2017 season with the Single-A Asheville Tourists, posting a 1–2 record and 3.26 ERA with 57 strikeouts in 51 games.[1]
On December 14, 2017, the San Francisco Giants selected Fernández from the Rockies organization with the second pick in the Rule 5 draft.[3] However, he underwent Tommy John surgery and missed the entire 2018 season.[4] On November 19, 2018, Fernández was claimed off waivers by the Miami Marlins.[5] He spent the 2019 season on the 60–day injured list while recovering from the surgery and did not appear in a game, as he suffered a set-back with more elbow issues during the year.[6][7]
On October 19, 2019, Fernández was removed from the Marlins' 40-man roster and returned to the Rockies organization.[8] He did not play a minor league game in 2020 since the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[9] In 2021, Fernández pitched for the Double-A Hartford Yard Goats and the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes.[10] In 44 games, he was 3–2 with a 3.38 ERA.[2]
The Rockies promoted Fernández to the major leagues on September 1.[11] He made his MLB debut on September 5, allowing three earned runs in 1+2⁄3 innings against the Atlanta Braves.[12] He picked up his first MLB strikeout against Dansby Swanson of the Braves.[13] He pitched in 6+2⁄3 innings over six games for the Rockies, allowing eight runs on nine hits (two home runs) while walking four and striking out four.[14]
Fernández was designated for assignment on June 11, 2022.[15] He cleared waivers on June 16 and was sent outright to Albuquerque.[16] In 58 games in the minors in 2022, he was 2–5 with a 7.26 ERA.[2] On October 12, Fernández elected free agency.[1]
On December 29, 2022, Fernández signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.[17] He was assigned to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons to begin the 2023 season, where he struggled to a 10.61 ERA with five strikeouts in 91⁄3 innings pitched across seven appearances.[2] On May 25, 2023, Fernández was released by the Blue Jays organization.[18]
On January 22, 2024, Fernández signed with El Águila de Veracruz of the Mexican League.[19] In 34 appearances for Veracruz, he compiled a 1–1 record and 1.82 ERA with 43 strikeouts and 19 saves across 34+2⁄3 innings pitched.[2] He became a free agent following the season.[1]
On December 20, 2024, Fernández signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.[20] He was assigned to the Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets to start the 2025 season and on July 7 his contract was purchased by the Dodgers and he was recalled to the major league roster.[21] Fernández pitched in one game for the Dodgers, allowing two runs on two hits in two innings of work that same day.[22] In 35 games for Oklahoma City, he was 3–0 with a 3.05 ERA and 49 strikeouts.[2] Fernández was designated for assignment on August 15, following the team's acquisition of Buddy Kennedy.[23]
On August 17, 2025, Fernández was claimed off waivers by the Washington Nationals.[24]
