KFDM COOP Posted January 17, 2008 Report Posted January 17, 2008 Pool of pitchers grows as Astros sign Hernandez Outfielder Gorneault also signed to minor-league deal The Astros added another arm to the pool of contenders for the starting rotation by signing right-hander Runelvys Hernandez to a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training. Outfielder Nick Gorneault, who is more realistically competing for a job at Class AAA Round Rock, also was signed to a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training. Hernandez, a former top prospect in the Kansas City Royals organization, has not pitched in the majors since 2006. From 2002 through 2006, with the exception of the 2004 season, the Dominican Republic native compiled a 25-33 record with a 5.38 ERA while throwing 435 1/3 innings over 78 games with the Royals. Hernandez, 29, struggled at Class AAA in 2007 while pitching in the Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Yankees organizations, combining for a 1-7 record and 4.35 ERA. But Astros director of Latin American scouting Felix Francisco saw Hernandez closely at the Dominican Winter League, where he just posted a 4.91 ERA over three starts and three relief appearances for the Leones del Escogido. “We had Felix Francisco see him pitch several times in the Dominican,†Astros general manager Ed Wade said of Hernandez. “He’s got big league experience and he’s always had a good arm. “We just figured we’d put him in the mix and see how he performs. We still think if we can add some depth at least to the competition at spring training it’s a good thing. At the same time we like the guys we have in the mix.†Gorneault, 28, spent most of last year at Class AAA Salt Lake and broke through to the majors for the first time by playing in two games with the Los Angeles Angels. “Gorneault’s got some big league experience and Ricky (Bennett, one of the assistant general managers) was trying to add depth at Round Rock,†Wade said. The Astros have all the starting spots in the outfield settled and quite a few players competing for backup spots, so he is likely fighting to make an impression while being headed to Round Rock after hitting .261 last year with 19 home runs and 59 RBIs at Salt
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