Hernandez Wants Thursday to Become Mother’s Day

Cuban defector Livan Hernandez had often prayed he would embrace his mother again. On Monday, the standout Marlin rookie pitcher learned his prayers may soon be answered.

A State Department official said Monday that Hernandez’s mother, Miriam Carreras, had been granted a visa to visit the United States.

Now, the Cuban government must decide whether it will permit Carreras to leave in time to watch her son pitch in Game 5 of the World Series on Thursday night at Jacobs Field. Or whether it will allow her to leave at all.

“That’s great that the U.S. has granted her a visa, but that doesn’t mean she will definitely be allowed to leave,” said Julio C. Sarmiento, a Marlin official and Hernandez’s interpreter.

“The U.S. isn’t the one forcing her to stay in Cuba. None of us really know what’s going to happen.”

The State Department didn’t say what kind of visa Carreras had been given. The Cuban government would not consider Carreras’ request to visit her son unless the U.S. government first granted her a visa. Cuba’s communist leaders may prohibit Carreras from leaving for fear she won’t return.

Hernandez, 22, defected from Cuba’s national baseball team two years ago in Mexico while preparing for a tournament. Hernandez signed a $4.5-million contract with the Marlins in 1996 and has emerged as one of the game’s brightest prospects.

On Saturday, the right-hander became the youngest pitcher to start and win a World Series game. Hernandez pitched 5 2/3 innings in helping the Marlins to a 7-4 victory over the Indians in Game 1 at Pro Player Stadium.

Hernandez had a 9-3 record with a 3.18 earned-run average during the regular season. He was the most valuable player of the National League championship series after going 2-0 against the Braves with a 0.84 ERA. Hernandez had a record-setting, 15-strikeout performance in Game 5 of the series.

However, his accomplishments haven’t filled the void in Hernandez’s heart.

“I came here, I left everything and everyone behind, to fulfill my dreams,” said Hernandez, whose popularity has soared in South Florida. “This was very hard to do. I think about my mother all the time.”