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Los Angeles Dodgers acquire RHP Roberto Hernandez from Philadelphia Phillies - ESPN Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired veteran pitcher Roberto Hernandez from the Philadelphia Phillies, the teams announced Thursday.
In exchange, the Phillies will receive two "lower-level minor leaguers," a major league source familiar with the transaction told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark.
Hernandez, 33, is 6-8 with a 3.87 ERA in 23 appearances, 20 of them starts. A source told ESPN.com that he will take the place of Josh Beckett in the Dodgers' rotation.
Beckett has been attempting to pitch with a torn labrum in his hip. But this deal is an indication he could be injured more seriously than was previously thought. Beckett is scheduled to pitch Friday, but Hernandez is likely to take his spot.
"Roberto provides us with another big league starting pitcher, who has pitched well this year, particularly the last seven starts," general manager Ned Colletti said. "He has postseason experience and helps fortify the rotation down the stretch."
Hernandez pitched under the assumed name of Fausto Carmona through 2011 with the Cleveland Indians. He is making $4.5 million this season and will be a free agent in November.
The Dominican native missed most of the 2012 season after getting arrested on charges of falsifying his identity to obtain a visa.
The Dodgers tried to shore up the back of their starting rotation before the July 31 trade deadline but were unsuccessful in talks involving Jon Lester and David Price because they were unwilling to deal their top three prospects from a slowly improving farm system.
General manager Ned Colletti said he felt confident he would be able to acquire a pitcher after the deadline. Hernandez likely cleared waivers and will be eligible for the postseason roster should the Dodgers make the playoffs.
Hernandez, who is 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, is known for his hard sinker, which, according to FanGraphs, he has thrown at an average velocity of 92.5 mph this season.
The Dodgers have one of the strongest trios of starters in the major leagues with Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke and Hyun-Jin Ryu but had begun to worry about two aging starters at the back of the rotation. Dan Haren, 33, eased some of those worries with 7 1/3 innings of three-hit ball Wednesday night at Angel Stadium.
In exchange, the Phillies will receive two "lower-level minor leaguers," a major league source familiar with the transaction told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark.
Hernandez, 33, is 6-8 with a 3.87 ERA in 23 appearances, 20 of them starts. A source told ESPN.com that he will take the place of Josh Beckett in the Dodgers' rotation.
Beckett has been attempting to pitch with a torn labrum in his hip. But this deal is an indication he could be injured more seriously than was previously thought. Beckett is scheduled to pitch Friday, but Hernandez is likely to take his spot.
"Roberto provides us with another big league starting pitcher, who has pitched well this year, particularly the last seven starts," general manager Ned Colletti said. "He has postseason experience and helps fortify the rotation down the stretch."
Hernandez pitched under the assumed name of Fausto Carmona through 2011 with the Cleveland Indians. He is making $4.5 million this season and will be a free agent in November.
The Dominican native missed most of the 2012 season after getting arrested on charges of falsifying his identity to obtain a visa.
The Dodgers tried to shore up the back of their starting rotation before the July 31 trade deadline but were unsuccessful in talks involving Jon Lester and David Price because they were unwilling to deal their top three prospects from a slowly improving farm system.
General manager Ned Colletti said he felt confident he would be able to acquire a pitcher after the deadline. Hernandez likely cleared waivers and will be eligible for the postseason roster should the Dodgers make the playoffs.
Hernandez, who is 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, is known for his hard sinker, which, according to FanGraphs, he has thrown at an average velocity of 92.5 mph this season.
The Dodgers have one of the strongest trios of starters in the major leagues with Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke and Hyun-Jin Ryu but had begun to worry about two aging starters at the back of the rotation. Dan Haren, 33, eased some of those worries with 7 1/3 innings of three-hit ball Wednesday night at Angel Stadium.