Ángel Hernández Jul 9, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Umpire Angel Hernandez (5) smiles during a break in action during the eighth inning of a baseball game between the Minnesota Twins and Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. The Rangers one 9-7. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports

While the calls and conduct of the umpires remain a source of contention among MLB’s players, managers, coaches, announcers and fans, one man has been conspicuously short of controversies — Ángel Hernández.

Even as the calls of umpires have gotten more dissected in recent seasons, Hernández finds ways to confound observers in ways that no other umpires do.

Plenty of umps get arguments. But how many actually get a player clearly saying that the other team has suffered from his bad calls throughout the game?

That’s the Ángel Hernández factor.

But that’s largely been missing this year. Hernández hasn’t umpired a game since April 3, the opening game of a series between the San Francisco Giants and Chicago White Sox. The second series of the year for both teams.

So, what gives? Why has MLB’s most criticized umpire been out of action for nearly the entire season? Was he fired? Did he quit? Apparently not.

Ryan Glasspiegel of the New York Post reported that Hernández has been sidelined while recovering from an injury.

“A source with knowledge of the situation told The Post that Hernandez has missed most of the season due to a back injury, and that he would be expected to return this season once his injury has been cleared,” Glasspiegel noted.

That’s in line with what Andrew Joseph of USA Today reported on Monday. He wrote that “Director of Major League Umpires Randy Marsh told For The Win that he believed Hernandez’s absence was due to a “medical matter.”

Until he returns, baseball fans will have to question other umpires, something that’s growing frustratingly easy to do.

And you read those reports and questioned how Hernández is out for a “medical matter” that’s not related to eye surgery, know that you’re not alone.

[New York Post, USA Today]

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