Roberto Hernandez receives visa; expected to take physical with Astros on Thursday

Roberto Hernandez will head to Florida on Wednesday night to audition for a job with the Houston Astros after receiving his work visa, reports Brian McTaggart of MLB.com.

Hernandez, who assumed the the name Fausto Carmona through 2011, is expected to take his physical with the Astros on Thursday. The 34-year-old right-hander signed a minor-league deal with Houston this winter and spent the last few weeks throwing at the club's complex in the Dominican Republic.

"You could argue this is the perfect way to do it, to show up on the first day of games," Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow joked.

Hernandez, an All-Star in 2010, will compete for the final spot in Houston's rotation this spring. He fashioned a 4.10 ERA (89 ERA+) with a 1.39 WHIP over 29 starts and three relief appearances between the Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers last season.