The Indians named their first new acquisition of the off season, Chuck Hernandez who was chosen by Manager Eric Wedge to be the Indians’ new bullpen coach for the 2009 season.

Hernandez is just 48 years old, but will be entering his 31st season in professional baseball. His last three seasons were spent with the Indians’ division rival, the Detroit Tigers, as their pitching coach. During the two seasons prior to his move to the American League Central Division, Hernandez worked as pitching coach to the Tampa Bay Rays for two seasons.

His other prior coaching experience came when he served as Tampa Bay’s Minor League Pitching Coordinator from 1997-2008.

Hernandez never made it to the big leagues, but did play five seasons in the minor leagues with the White Sox and Yankees organizations after starting his career in 1979.