Jose Fernandez stood in front of his new locker in the Arizona Diamondbacks’ clubhouse on Monday evening, greeted by a swarm of cameras and microphones, all anticipating his arrival.
The scene felt straight out of a movie as Fernandez answered questions from reporters about the biggest day of his professional career.
Fernandez, who was called up from Triple-A Reno on Monday after utilityman Pavin Smith was placed on the 10-day injured list with left elbow inflammation, was excited to begin his MLB career, despite the circumstances.
“It’s a dream I’ve had ever since I was 5 years old, and just thankful for the opportunity that was given to me,” Fernandez said through a translator, before watching Monday’s home opener from the dugout.
Fernandez, 22, made his MLB debut the next day, starting at third base in place of Nolan Arenado, who was given the night off by manager Torey Lovullo.
Not even Fernandez could have anticipated the performance he would have in his first game as a major leaguer. He immediately made his presence felt, starting off his MLB career with two home runs, four RBIs, and igniting a 7-5 win against the Detroit Tigers.
While the Chase Field crowd of 28,780 was ecstatic for the rookie, Lovullo, who watched Fernandez tear it up in the Cactus League, knew that he was ready for the moment.
“You guys saw him all spring training long,” Lovullo said. “[He’s] a very exciting player, very youthful, continuing to climb through the system and learn and grow about our concepts, and just plugs right in.”
The Venezuelan native, who was ranked as the No. 27 prospect in the Diamondbacks’ farm system according to MLB Pipeline, finished spring training with three home runs, seven RBIs, and a 1.148 OPS.
While Fernandez was confident he wouldn’t be in Reno for long, he didn’t expect to be summoned by the Diamondbacks just four games into the season.
However, when Reno Aces manager Jeff Gardner called Fernandez into his office, he knew his major league dreams were about to come true.
“When he told me, I kinda went blank for a little bit,” Fernandez said. “I wasn’t expecting it that soon. But, they told me after spring training to be ready at all times.”
Fernandez’s readiness was tested immediately, as the Diamondbacks fell behind quickly on Tuesday after starting pitcher Brandon Pfaadt was rocked for five runs in the third inning.
Fernandez came to the plate in the fourth inning. With two outs and on a 1-0 count against Tigers’ starter Casey Mize, he sent his second major league hit into the stands for a solo home run, shaving Detroit’s lead to 5-1.
Jose Fernandez is still hitting 1.000 for his career. pic.twitter.com/5z1WLvMBmm
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) April 1, 2026
Then, in the bottom of the eighth, as the Diamondbacks mounted a comeback, Fernandez was tasked with giving them a lead.
With runners on second and third, Fernandez once again deposited a Tigers’ fastball into the left-field bleachers for a 7-5 lead, capping a six-run inning and giving the Diamondbacks their second win of the year after losing three straight to the Los Angeles Dodgers to open the season.
Fernandez finished his major league debut with three hits, two home runs and four RBIs.
The moment didn’t feel too big for the young infielder, who credited his preparation for moments like these to the veterans in the clubhouse.
“Nolan Arenado, Ildemaro Vargas, Carlos Santana, Geraldo Perdomo, Ketel Marte, all those players I’ve named, there are players I know I’m forgetting too, but what else can I say about them? I’m very grateful,” Fernandez said.
Lovullo was grateful for Fernandez’s performance, commending the rookie for his preparation for the biggest moment of his young baseball career.
“It’s a great baseball story,” Lovullo said after the game. “We knew he was coming; he came out very strong last year, very versatile player defensively, was starting to shrink the zone up, and starting to show that patience.
“He got this opportunity and made the most of it.”
The Diamondbacks looked to complete a series sweep of the Tigers on Wednesday, going against defending AL Cy Young award winner Tarik Skubal.
Fernandez is the eighth player in history to hit two home runs in his MLB debut, and the second player this season to accomplish the feat, with Cleveland Guardians rookie Chase DeLauter knocking out a pair of homers against the Seattle Mariners last Thursday.
Fernandez is also the Diamondbacks’ youngest infielder to reach the major leagues since Jordan Lawlar was added to the major league roster at age 21 in 2023, joining the team on its World Series run.
Pfaadt, who pitched six innings after limiting the damage to just the five-run third inning, also praised the rookie’s debut performance after the game.
“We saw it in spring training; he had a phenomenal spring training,” Pfaadt said. “I think that’s why he was able to get called up so early in the season, cause everyone in here knows that, and he showed that tonight to everyone else.”
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