Hernández from the starting lineup. On August 10, Hernández was removed from the starting rotation and transitioned to the bullpen. He made his first appearance as a reliever on August 14 against the A's when starting pitcher James Paxton was struck by a line drive. Hernández temporarily returned to the rotation with Paxton on the disabled list. Hernández finished the worst season of his career, going 8–14 with an ERA of 5.55 in innings. 2019 season On March 9, manager Scott Servais announced that Marco Gonzales would be the Opening Day starter in Tokyo, Japan, ending Hernández's streak of 10 consecutive Opening Day starts, a feat which had been accomplished by only 6 other pitchers in history. Hernández began the 2019 season against the Los Angeles Angels as the Mariners' number 5 starter in the rotation, pitching 5.1 innings allowing 3 runs (only 1 earned) on 7 hits and 4 strikeouts. On May 11 against the Boston Red Sox, Hernández recorded his 2,500th strikeout by striking out Michael Chavis, becoming the sixth-youngest pitcher in Major League history to reach the 2,500 strikeout mark. However, he was placed on the 10-day injured list after the start with a right shoulder strain. In June, he went on a rehabilitation assignment with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers. On September 26, 2019, Hernández pitched in his final game of the season in a 3–1 loss to the Oakland Athletics. In the game, he threw for innings, gave up 5 hits, 3 runs and walked 4 batters while striking out 3. Hernández ended the 2019 season with a 1–8 record, 57 strikeouts, and an ERA of 6.40 in innings. On October 31, Hernández became a free agent. "King's Court" On May 28, 2011, a special cheering section for Hernández, dubbed "King's Court", debuted in Safeco Field on the foul territory side of the left field foul pole. The creation of the Mariners marketing director, it marked the first time in Major League Baseball that a stadium promotion was designed around a popular player. By popular demand, the cheering section was expanded from two to three sections – Sections 148, 149, and 150 – by the end of the year. Seats are sold at a discount and the ticket price includes a yellow "King Félix" T-shirt and a yellow placard imprinted with a large "K" to wave when cheering for strikeouts by Hernández. "King's Court" is typically