Astros sign RHP Livan Hernandez to Minor League contract

HOUSTON, TX -- The Houston Astros have agreed to terms on a Minor League contract with free agent right-handed pitcher Livan Hernandez, General Manager Jeff Luhnow announced today. The deal includes an invite to the Astros Major League Spring Training camp.

Hernandez, 36, pitched for Washington last season, making 29 starts and posting an 8-13 record and a 4.47 ERA (87ER/175.1IP). He was the Nationals’ Opening Day starter in 2011, which also marked his 14th straight season (since 1998) to pitch at least 175.0 innings at the Major League level. In his career, he has reached the 200-inning mark on 10 occasions, most recently in 2010, when he went 10-12 with a 3.66 ERA (86ER/211.2IP). Since 1998, Hernandez leads all Major Leaguers in innings pitched (3022.1IP).

Hernandez made his Major League debut in 1996, but stuck in the Major Leagues in 1997, helping the Florida Marlins win the World Series Championship that season. He is a veteran of four playoff teams and has pitched in 12 playoff games, making 10 starts with a 7-3 record and a 3.97 ERA (30ER/68IP).

In his 15-year Major League career, Hernandez is a two-time All-Star (2004-05) and has gone 174-176 with a 4.39 ERA (1524ER/3121.2IP) in 475 regular season appearances, all but one being starts.