Astros release Livan Hernandez

Mar 30, 2012 - 4:43 PM Kissimmee, FL (Sports Network) - The Houston Astros have released pitcher Livan Hernandez, who had signed a minor league deal with the club in January.

Hernandez made five starts for the Astros this spring and pitched to an earned run average of 5.63, allowing 14 runs -- 10 earned -- on 23 hits in 16 innings.

The 37-year-old right-hander spent last season with the Washington Nationals, compiling an 8-13 record with a 4.47 ERA in 29 starts.

In 475 appearances, all but one as a starter, with the Marlins, Giants, Expos/Nationals, Diamondbacks, Twins, Rockies and Mets, Hernandez has a career 174-176 record and 4.39 ERA with 50 complete games and nine shutouts.

The 16-year veteran has not recorded a winning season since 2008, when he was 13-11 while splitting the year between Minnesota and Colorado.

A two-time All-Star, Hernandez was the NLCS and World Series MVP in 1997 for the Marlins.