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Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Jose Fernandez joined rare company Tuesday night when he hit two home runs in his major league debut against the Detroit Tigers.
Fernandez hit his first home run in the fourth inning — a solo shot off Casey Mize. That cut the Diamondbacks’ deficit to four runs as the Tigers rallied for five runs in the third inning.
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Arizona Diamondbacks’ Jose Fernandez (11) celebrates after hitting a home run in his first game during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
He was called upon in the eighth inning to muster heroics against All-Star closer Kenley Jansen. Fernandez delivered a three-run shot to end a six-run eighth inning. Arizona won the game 7-5.
Fernandez, 22, became the seventh player since 1900 to hit two home runs in his debut.
“I returned to my days as a child – just a dream come true,” he said.
Fernandez first appeared on the major league roster Monday after missing the cut to begin the season last week. Arizona needed another guy on the team after placing Pavin Smith on the 10-day injured list with left elbow soreness. He finished 3-for-4 with four RBI and two runs scored.
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Arizona Diamondbacks’ Jose Fernandez (11) looks to the sky after hitting a home run in his first game during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
“He deserves all this credit,” Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. “We’re so proud of him. He’s a player that came through our system, through our academy, and it’s a great story, a great baseball story. We’ve known about Jose for a long time. We knew he was going to come.”
Fernandez is the second player in the last week to hit two home runs in his major league debut. Cleveland Guardians batter Chase DeLauter did it Thursday. He made his regular-season debut against the Seattle Mariners after first appearing in the postseason.
Arizona Diamondbacks’ Jose Fernandez gets a Gatorade bath after hitting two home runs and four RBIs in his first major league baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
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Trevor Story (2016), JP Arencibia (2010), Mark Quinn (1999), Bert Campaneris (1964) and Bob Nieman (1951) also accomplished the feat.
