Arizona Gets Pitching Lift in Hernandez

Livan Hernandez was traded by the Washington Nationals to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday for a pair of minor league pitchers.

The 31-year-old Hernandez is 9-8 this season with a career-high 5.34 earned-run average in 24 starts. The right-hander has been hampered by a sore knee for most of the season but had the latest in a string of strong outings Sunday, giving up two runs over seven innings at San Diego.

“Obviously it’s tough to trade a Livan,” Washington General Manager Jim Bowden said. “We love Livan, but we’re not here to win tomorrow. We’re here to win for the long term.”

The Nationals received two 23-year-old prospects: right-hander Garrett Mock and left-hander Matt Chico. Both will report to Washington’s double-A affiliate, Harrisburg of the Eastern League.

“Livan at least gives us high expectations for innings and hopefully quality innings,” said Diamondbacks General Manager Josh Byrnes.

*

Gary Majewski’s sore pitching shoulder spurred the Cincinnati Reds to make another move for their bullpen, acquiring right-hander Ryan Franklin from the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Reds received money to pay part of Franklin’s $2.6-million deal for this season. They’ll give the Phillies a player to be named after the season.

Franklin, 33, was 1-5 with Philadelphia with a 4.58 ERA in 46 relief appearances.

*

All-Star pitcher Scott Kazmir is expected to come off the disabled list this week and start Friday night for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in Oakland.

The left-hander has not pitched since July 23 because of inflammation in his throwing shoulder. Kazmir, 22, is 10-7 in 21 starts with a 3.36 ERA.

*

New York Yankees left fielder Hideki Matsui will have his injured left wrist reexamined Friday, at which time he could be cleared to intensify his workouts.