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Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman José Fernández joined rare company Tuesday night when he hit two home runs in his major league debut against the Detroit Tigers.
Fernández hit his first home run in the fourth inning, a solo shot off Casey Mize. He cut the Diamondbacks’ deficit to four runs as the Tigers piled up 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 on in the eighth inning to perform heroics against All-Star closer Kenley Jansen. Fernandez hit a three-run shot to cap a six-run eighth inning. Arizona won the game, 7-5.
Fernández, 22, became the seventh player since 1900 to hit two home runs in his debut.
“I went back to my childhood days, just a dream come true,” he said.
Fernández only appeared on the Major League roster on Monday after missing the cut to start the season last week. Arizona needed another player on the team after placing Pavin Smith on the 10-day injured list with left elbow soreness. He finished 3-for-4 with four runs batted in and two scored.
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Arizona Diamondbacks’ Jose Fernandez (11) looks skyward 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 are very proud of him. He is a player who came through our system, through our academy, and it is a great story, a great baseball story. We have known José for a long time. We knew he would come.”
Fernández is the second player in the last week to hit two home runs in his major league debut. Cleveland Guardians slugger Chase DeLauter did it on Thursday. He made his regular season debut against the Seattle Mariners after appearing first in the postseason.
Arizona Diamondbacks’ Jose Fernandez receives a Gatorade bath after hitting two home runs and four RBIs in his first major league baseball game against the Detroit Tigers on 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.
