Houston Astros Sign Livan Hernandez

The Houston Astros have signed veteran right-handed pitcher Livan Hernandez, according to Ken Rosenthal. The deal is a minor league contract according to Rosenthal, with no word yet on whether a spring training invite is included.

Hernandez, 36, has played sixteen years as a pro with stints on seven different teams, including seven (non-consecutive) years with the Washington Nationals and four with the San Francisco Giants. He has a career 4.39 ERA and has amassed 174 wins against 176 losses.

Don't let the age fool you into thinking there's nothing left in the tank or that Livan isn't particularly durable -- he's pitched 211 and 175 innings over the past two seasons, albeit with mixed success. He had one of the best seasons in his career in 2010, compiling three wins above replacement, but didn't come close to matching that last season.

• Twitter / @Ken_Rosenthal: Source: #Astros sign Livan ...
  Source: #Astros sign Livan Hernandez. #MLB
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  Hernandez deal with #Astros is a minor-league contract. #MLB