MIAMI – Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez was posthumously named Sporting News' 2016 National League Comeback Player of the Year.
Fernandez, who died Sept. 25 in a boating accident in Miami Beach, excelled after recovering from Tommy John surgery.
After returning to the field, Fernandez went 16-8 with a 2.86 ERA and 253 strikeouts in 29 starts in the 2016 season.
A panel of 177 NL players voted for the Comeback Player of the Year, with many submitting their ballots before Fernandez's death, Sporting News reported.
This is the first time in 80 years that a Sporting News baseball honor has been given to a player posthumously.
Below is a list of the voting results from Sporting News:
1. Jose Fernandez, Miami Marlins - 70
2. Tanner Roark, Washington Nationals - 27
3. Rich Hill, Los Angeles Dodgers - 17
4. Wilson Ramos, Washington Nationals - 14
5. Jean Segura, Arizona Diamondbacks - 12
6. Dustin McGowan, Miami Marlins - 10
7. Wil Myers, San Diego Padres - 10
8. Anthony Rendon, Washington Nationals - 5
9. Dan Straily, Cincinnati Reds - 4
Other - 8