Astros cut Livan Hernandez

The Houston Astros have released right-hander Livan Hernandez, baseball's active leader in starts and innings, from his minor-league contract.

General manager Jeff Luhnow made the announcement Friday. The 37-year-old Hernandez made five starts for the Astros in spring training after signing with the club on Jan. 31.

Hernandez had hoped to pitch for a 17th season with his eighth different team. He has started 474 games and has pitched 3,121 2-3 innings. He was the opening-day starter for Washington last season and went 8-13 with a 4.47 ERA in 29 starts.

The Cuban defector has pitched at least 200 innings in 10 major-league seasons, and led the NL in innings pitched between 2003-05.

Hernandez is a two-time All Star and helped Florida won the 1997 World Series. He also spent time with San Francisco, Montreal, Arizona, Minnesota, Colorado and the New York Mets before re-signing with the Expos/Nationals in 2009.

Hernandez has a career record of 174-176 with a 4.39 ERA. He's pitched in 12 playoff games with a 7-3 record and 3.97 ERA.