He played in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Washington Senators, and Chicago Cubs from 1967 to 1972.

Fernández signed as an amateur free agent with the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB) upon graduation from Curtis High School in Staten Island in 1961.

Upon former first round draft pick Thurman Munson's arrival in the major leagues, the Yankees dealt Fernández to the Oakland Athletics with Al Downing for Danny Cater and Ossie Chavarria prior to the start of the 1970 season.

During the 1971 season, the A's traded Fernández to the Washington Senators with Paul Lindblad and Don Mincher for Mike Epstein and Darold Knowles.

[2] Fernández made three pinch hitting appearances with the Cubs in 1972, but spent most of his time with their triple A affiliate, the Wichita Aeros before being reacquired by the Yankees in a minor league deal.