MLB.com's Bill Ladson reports that Livan Hernandez will file his official retirement papers on Thursday.

The 38-year-old Cuban pitched 17 seasons in the majors, finishing with a 4.44 ERA over 3,189 innings. Livo was at the peak of his powers in 2003-05 -- during the time the Expos became the Nationals -- firing 734 2/3 innings of 3.60 ERA ball.

According to William Ladson of MLB.com, Livan Hernandez still plans on playing big league baseball in 2013.

The 37-year-old right-hander has won 178 games in his 17 year career, and wants to reach 200 victories before hanging em' up. After posting a 6.42 ERA and 1.49 WHIP in 67 1/3 innings between the Braves and Brewers in 2012, he may have to settle for a minor league deal with an invite to spring training.

Livan Hernandez has opted for free agency.

Hernandez was removed from the Brewers' 40-man roster and refused a minor league assignment. The veteran right-hander posted a 6.42 ERA and 48/16 K/BB ratio in 67 1/3 innings this season between the Braves and Brewers. It's not yet known whether he intends to return for his 18th major league season.

Brewers signed RHP Livan Hernandez to a one-year contract.

With Michael Fiers pitching well and Marco Estrada (quad) due back next week, we assume he'll slide into a long relief role. Hernandez was cut loose from the Braves earlier this month after posting a 4.94 ERA and 1.55 WHIP over 18 appearances as a long man.

Braves released RHP Livan Hernandez.

Hernandez was designated for assignment last week, and will evidently attempt to continue his career elsewhere. He'll likely have to settle for a minor league deal and is doubtful to hold any fantasy value.

Braves designated RHP Livan Hernandez for assignment.

Hernandez posted a 4.94 ERA and 1.55 WHIP over 18 appearances as a long man out of the Braves bullpen. While he's thoroughly unexciting, Livan shouldn't have trouble finding a new job with someone in need of rotation depth. He might have to settle for a minor league deal, though.

Livan Hernandez picked up his first career save after getting five outs against the Rockies on Saturday.

Hernandez entered a three-run game in the eighth and stayed in after the Braves expanded their lead to four runs in the top of the ninth. The save came in his 11th career relief appearance and 485th game overall. He has a nice enough 3.72 ERA out of the pen for the Braves this season.

David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Livan Hernadez will be used in a long reliever/spot starter role and his signing "doesn't affect the fifth starter battle."

We figured Hernandez would fill the No. 5 starter role until Tim Hudson was ready, but evidently that competition will still come down to Randall Delgado and Julio Teheran. Hernandez got a major league deal from the Braves shortly after being released by the Astros.

Braves signed RHP Livan Hernandez to a minor league contract.

Only about two hours passed between the time Hernandez was released by the Astros and then showed up in the Braves' spring training clubhouse, which is just 20 minutes away from the Astros'. He'll slide into the No. 5 spot in the rotation and keep it warm until Tim Hudson is ready, likely pushing Randall Delgado and Julio Teheran to Triple-A. Hernandez has posted a 5.63 ERA and 1.81 WHIP this spring and had a 4.47 ERA and 99/46 K/BB ratio over 175 1/3 innings last season for the Nationals.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that the Braves will sign recently released Livan Hernandez.

Well, that was fast. Hernandez was just released by the Astros a couple hours ago but has already found a new job. He'll likely slide into the No. 5 spot in the rotation and keep it warm until Tim Hudson is ready, pushing Randall Delgado and Julio Teheran to Triple-A. Hernandez has posted a 5.63 ERA and 1.81 WHIP this spring.

Astros released RHP Livan Hernandez.

It's a surprising move, as Hernandez was expected to be the team's No. 4 starter despite posting a 5.63 ERA and 1.81 WHIP this spring. But, the Astros certainly aren't going anywhere in 2012, and they've decided to go with youth in their rotation, giving Jordan Lyles and Kyle Weiland a shot. Hernandez should be able to catch on somewhere with a team needing some starting pitching depth.

Livan Hernandez tossed five scoreless innings Tuesday against the Phillies.

Hernandez outdueled Cole Hamels before leaving a 1-0 game. He's almost certainly going to be the Astros' fourth starter to begin the season, not that that's anything for fantasy leaguers to get excited about.

Livan Hernandez feels fine after being hit on the outside of his right leg by a comebacker during Thursday's start.

Hernandez tossed 2 1/3 innings and was only scheduled to face one more hitter, so there was no reason to leave him in. He should be fine for his next start.

Livan Hernandez was pulled from Thursday's start against the Nationals after being hit on the right leg by a comebacker off the bat of Ryan Zimmerman.

No word yet on the severity of the injury, but it's likely the Astros just took him out for precautionary reasons. Livo tossed 2 1/3 innings before leaving the game, so at least he got his work in.

Despite allowing three hits, Livan Hernandez pitched two scoreless innings Saturday against the Nationals.

Hernandez was penciled in as the Astros' fourth starter once Brett Myers was shifted to the pen. He could lose the spot with a lousy spring, but he always seems to pitch well in March and April.

According to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com, the Astros have signed Livan Hernandez to a minor league contract.

Making his final start of the season, Livan Hernandez had a day to forget on Sunday, allowing six runs on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings of a Nats loss to the Mets.

Set to serve as a "mentor/coach/pinch-hitter" down the stretch, it's unclear if Hernandez will throw any innings out of the bullpen. If by chance he's thrown his last pitch of 2011, he'll finish with a 4.47 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 99/46 K/BB ratio in 175 1/3 innings. Hernandez has pitched at least 175 innings every year since 1998, a remarkable feat.

Livan Hernandez will make his final start of the season Sunday against the Mets.

According to Bill Ladson of MLB.com, he will spend the rest of the year as a mentor/coach. Stephen Strasburg will take his place in the starting rotation, but this also means that Tom Milone will likely see multiple starts down the stretch. The Nationals have a host of interesting young arms on the horizon, but Livo has expressed interest in returning as a long reliever next season.

Livan Hernandez was officially named the starter for Friday's game against the Braves.

As expected. He'll be followed by left-handers John Lannan and Tom Gorzelanny. Nationals manager Davey Johnson hasn't announced anything beyond this weekend, but they'll seemingly use have Jason Marquis before Jordan Zimmermann. The Nationals have Zimmermann on an innings-limit, so they need to work his workload whenever possible.

Livan Hernandez cruised through five innings Thursday but ran into trouble in the sixth, giving up all six of his runs and six of his 10 hits in a loss to the Cubs.

Big Livan looked to be on his way to his sixth win with the Nats up 8-0, but things fell apart on him in a hurry, which can often happen for a guy that doesn't miss many bats and relies on pinpoint control. He had been pitching quite well of late, posting a 3.46 ERA over his last six starts before tonight's poor showing. He'll carry a 4.01 ERA and 1.37 WHIP into the break.