Neck Injury Forces Hernandez to Marlins’ 60-Day Disabled List

The Florida Marlins placed right-handed reliever Jeremy Hernandez on the 60-day disabled list Thursday because of a herniated disk in his neck.

The former Cal State Northridge and Poly High player will undergo surgery Monday and is expected to be lost for the season.

“He’s been one of our main guys in our bullpen, but we’ve had a lot of injuries this season,” Marlins’ general manager Dave Dombrowski said. “Basically he has been our main saver out there at this point.”

Hernandez, 27, filled in for injured closer Bryan Harvey and had nine saves. Hernandez was 3-3 2.70 earned-run average in 23 1/3 innings.

Hernandez was acquired for Matt Turner in a trade with Cleveland before the season. Turner has since been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease.

Hernandez played for Northridge from 1985-87. He won 21 games and holds the school record for career starts with 43.

Baseball

Outfielder Gary Matthews and pitcher Ray Rivera of Mission College have been named to the California junior college All-American first team. Matthews was also selected to the All-State squad.

Matthews, a sophomore switch-hitter who signed with the San Diego Padres last week, batted .392 with nine home runs and 44 RBIs.

Rivera, a freshman right-hander who was voted the most valuable player in the Southern California Athletic Conference, was 12-3 with a 2.78 ERA.

Two Glendale College players, shortstop Randy Vickers and center fielder Bryan Warner, were named to the All-American second team. Vickers batted .374 with 13 home runs and 45 RBIs, and Warner batted .352 with 11 home runs and 48 RBIs.

North Hollywood baseball Coach Rick Pally resigned his coaching position Wednesday, according to Dave Smith, assistant principal in charge of athletics at North Hollywood.

Applications for the position are now being accepted. The Huskies finished 7-18 overall and 1-16 in the East Valley League.

Valley outfielder Will Skett signed a letter of intent to play at Long Beach State. Skett, from Reseda High, said he turned down an offer from Oklahoma because he wanted to stay closer to home.

“I like both programs equally, but I feel like I’m more of a dirtbag,” Skett said, referring to the 49ers’ self-chosen nickname. “My personality is more that way.”

Skett hit .353 with five home runs, 32 RBIs and 15 stolen bases for the Monarchs.