The Nationals just signed Livan Hernandez and now that he's back in Washington, he wants to stay. Hernandez tells Chico Harlan of the Washington Post that he would consider returning to the Nats when he becomes a free agent after the season.
"That's what I want. I'd love to be here next year," Hernandez said. "It's something I've been waiting for, coming to D.C., the last three years."
The Nats are searching for veteran arms to prepare themselves for next year. Hernandez could be a fit, but he has struggled since 2005, when he says he pitched through constant pain to compete. Through 2005, Hernandez had a 4.11 ERA and was striking out 6.1 batters per nine innings. Since then, his strikeout rate has fallen, his homer rate has risen and he has pitched to an ERA of 5.26.
