Hernández defected from Cuba in 1996. He signed with the New York Yankees as an undrafted free agent on May 11, 1998.\n', '

From 1998 to 2003, Hernández was in the Yankees organization. Hernández was first placed on the 40-man roster on November 21, 2002, in order to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. On September 1, 2003, Hernández was called up by the major league team. On September 6, against the Boston Red Sox, Hernández made his major league debut, coming into the game as a defensive replacement for Jorge Posada. On September 26, against the Baltimore Orioles, Hernández made his first career start and got his first career hit, a single off Rodrigo López. In total, Hernández played in 5 games in 2003, going 1–4.\n', '

On January 8, 2004, Hernández was claimed off waivers by the Boston Red Sox. Prior to that, he had been designated for assignment on December 23, 2003. On March 24, 2004, Hernández was claimed off waivers again, this time by the Philadelphia Phillies. Hernández would go on to play the entire 2004 season with the Phillies Triple-A team, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons. He split time with veteran A. J. Hinch, with both playing 77 games. Hernández batted .254 with 6 home runs and 31 RBI. On December 20, 2004, Hernández was designated for assignment. The next day, he became a free agent, as the Phillies decline to offer him a new contract.\n', '

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