Well, that didn't take long. The Astros announced they had released starting pitcher Livan Hernandez earlier Friday afternoon. In the post on the transaction, I mentioned it might signal Hernandez's retirement. And that was disproven in just about 90 minutes, because the Braves have signed Hernandez to a minor-league deal, the club announced.

Hernandez, 37, could serve as a nice stopgap for the Braves. They have Tim Hudson recovering from back surgery and likely missing a month of the season. Prospects Julio Teheran and Randall Delgado were battling to keep the last rotation spot warm until Hudson returned, but the Braves haven't been satisfied with the duo this spring.

Plus, Jair Jurrjens and Tommy Hanson have had physical issues over the past season. So Hernandez gives the Braves a veteran option who can work deep into games and help save that bullpen that was so overworked down the stretch last season.

Hernandez went 8-13 with a 4.47 ERA and 1.40 WHIP in 175 1/3 innings last season for the Nationals. It was the 14th straight season he threw at least 175 innings, and the Nats shut him down for the last several weeks -- his last start was September 4 -- so they could get Stephen Strasburg into the rotation.

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