Instead of coming off the 15-day disabled list on Friday to face the Yankees in New York, the 20-year-old now is penciled in to start the middle game of a three-game series against the Tigers on May 9.

"We would rather be safe than sorry with him," manager Mike Hargrove said. "His bullpen [session on Tuesday] was fine, but we just feel better giving him a few extra days. If we get to [May 9] and feel he needs a few more days, we'll give him more time."

Hargrove said right-hander Cha Seung Baek would start Friday night against the Yankees.

Hernandez last pitched on April 18 at Safeco Field against the Twins and lasted less than an inning because of soreness in his right elbow. An ensuing MRI exam disclosed that he had a strained muscle and he eventually went on the 15-day DL, retroactive to April 19.

It was a sudden and disappointing development for Hernandez and the team. He started the season by pitching eight shutout innings against the Athletics on Opening Day and followed that up with a brilliant one-hit shutout against the Red Sox at Fenway Park on April 11.

The sore elbow came out of the blue and forced him to take a step back. He's been recuperating since.

"There is no pain, but he had a little discomfort two or three days ago," Hargrove said. "He was a little upset that he just played catch and it didn't go the way he wanted, but he's fine now.

"His bullpen [Tuesday] went fine. He has thrown all of his pitches. He threw mostly fastballs and changeups, maybe a couple of breaking balls. We'll give him one more bullpen and maybe a simulated game."

There are no plans to send Hernandez to the Minors for a rehab start.

"I don't know that we have reached that, yet," Hargrove said. "A rehab start usually is to test where the arm is. The secondary part of that is to get them back in competition. I don't know that we have reached that point with Felix, yet."