The Rays are near a deal with pitcher Roberto Hernandez, formerly known as Fausto Carmona, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reported Wednesday.
Hernandez, 32, pitched just 14.1 innings for Cleveland in 2012, allowing a 7.53 ERA and walking three batters against only two strikeouts. He limped to a 5.25 ERA over 188.2 innings in 2011 but posted a 3.77 ERA in 33 starts for Cleveland in 2010, his most recent successful major league season. For his career, Hernandez owns a 4.64 ERA (90 ERA+) in 949 innings.
He has started 153 of his 184 career games, last appearing in relief in his rookie season in 2006. However, the Rays could consider him as a reliever as well as a starter in 2013.
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