The Toronto Blue Jays traded left-hander Francisco Liriano and cash to the Houston Astros on Monday in exchange for outfielder Nori Aoki and minor-league outfielder Teoscar Hernandez, the clubs announced.
Liriano, an impending free agent, has been inconsistent this season, posting a 5.88 ERA, 1.62 WHIP, and 74 strikeouts in 82 2/3 innings. He has been better of late, however, producing a 4.09 ERA over his last two starts, while holding opponents to a .179/.238/.256 slash line.
Despite Liriano making all of his 18 appearances as a starter this season, the Astros are expected to use him out of the bullpen.
The 33-year-old made four appearances as a reliever last year and will likely be deployed against left-handed hitters out of the pen. In 63 plate appearances against Liriano this season, lefties are hitting just .230/.254/.361 with one home run and 17 strikeouts.
Aoki is hitting .272/.323/.371 with two home runs, 12 doubles, and five stolen bases in 71 games. The 35-year-old is earning $5.5 million this season, and is arbitration eligible for the fourth and final time this winter.
Hernandez appeared in 42 games with the Astros over the last two seasons, hitting .230/.304/.420 with four home runs, seven doubles, and 28 strikeouts. The 24-year-old was Houston's No. 9 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, and has hit .279/.369/.485 with 12 home runs, 20 doubles, and 12 stolen bases in 79 games at Triple-A this season.
