Bernardino was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the 26th round of the 2014 MLB draft.[3] In his first professional season, he played for the Rookie–level Billings Mustangs and pitched to a 1–1 win–loss record and a 1.01 earned run average (ERA) in 262⁄3innings pitched.[4] The next season, he split the season between the Dayton Dragons and the Louisville Bats, finishing the season with a combined 2–3 record and a 3.72 ERA in 552⁄3 innings pitched.[4] In 2016, he played the entire season on the Daytona Tortugas and recorded a 5–3 record and a 3.71 ERA in 602⁄3 innings pitched.[4] He was promoted to the Double-APensacola Blue Wahoos in 2017, and went 2–4 with a 4.46 ERA in 401⁄3 innings.[4] In the 2017–18 offseason, he pitched for the Naranjeros de Hermosillo of the Mexican Pacific League, pitching to a 4.26 ERA in 61⁄3 innings pitched.[5][6][4] He started the 2018 season with Pensacola, but was released from the Reds organization after accumulating a 6.30 ERA in 20 innings pitched.[4]
Winnipeg Goldeyes
On August 8, 2018, Bernardino signed with the Winnipeg Goldeyes.[7] He started five out of the six games he pitched for them, and went 2–3 with a 3.18 ERA in 34 innings pitched.[4]
Toros de Tijuana
On May 24, 2019, Bernardino signed with the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League.[8] He registered a 2.94 ERA in 332⁄3 innings pitched across 33 appearances.[9][4]
Cleveland Indians
After his stint with Tijuana, Bernardino's contract was purchased by the Cleveland Indians.[10] He pitched for the Lynchburg Hillcats and Akron Rubberducks and recorded a cumulative 1–1 record and a 4.76 ERA in 111⁄3 innings pitched. He did not play a minor-league game in 2020 as the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[11]
Toros de Tijuana (second stint)
In 2021, Bernardino signed with the Toros de Tijuana for a second stint with the team.[12] He spent the entire 2021 season with Tijuana and pitched to a 0–1 record and a 5.63 ERA in 24 innings pitched.[4] During the 2022 season, in nine starts for Tijuana he recorded a 3.07 ERA in 44 innings pitched.[13][4]
Seattle Mariners
On June 25, 2022, Bernardino had his contract purchased by the Seattle Mariners.[14] He was assigned to the Triple-ATacoma Rainiers and pitched to a 2–0 record and a 0.79 ERA in 111⁄3 innings pitched. On July 30, 2022, Bernardino's contract was selected to the major-league roster.[15] He made in MLB debut the next day, coming on in the 10th inning and taking the loss after Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Álvarez hit a single to drive in a run.[16] Bernardino made two appearances for the major-league club in 2022, logging a 3.86 ERA with no strikeouts in 21⁄3 innings pitched.
Bernardino was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma to begin the 2023 season.[17] He surrendered eight runs in six innings pitched across two appearances for Tacoma before he was designated for assignment on April 11, 2023.[18]
Boston Red Sox
On April 16, 2023, Bernardino was claimed off waivers by the Boston Red Sox[19] and was optioned to the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox.[20] On April 24, Bernardino was added to Boston's active roster.[21] He was briefly sent back to Worcester for a week in mid-May,[22][23] and a week in late May.[24][25] In late August, Bernardino was on the COVID-related injured list for a week.[26][27] In 55 appearances for Boston, he logged a 3.20 ERA with 58 strikeouts across 50+2⁄3 innings pitched.
Bernardino was optioned to Triple–A Worcester to begin the 2024 season.[28] He was recalled to Boston on April 9, after Nick Pivetta was placed on the injured list.[29]
Bernardino is married to LaCandace Dandridge and they have a son named Jaylen. The couple was set to get married on November 28, 2020 in Gilbert, Arizona but the wedding was postponed to a later date due to COVID-19 Pandemic.[30] After previously maintaining an apartment in San Diego, they decided to stay in Boston during the 2023–24 offseason.[31]
Bernardino's sister Lelani played softball at the University of Memphis and earned 2009 All-Conference USA Freshman Team and 2010 Second Team All-Conference USA honors.[32]