Astros officially acquire Francisco Liriano for outfielders Norichika Aoki and Teoscar Hernandez

The Houston Astros and general manager Jeff Luhnow officially announced the deal for LHP Francisco Liriano from the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday. The Astros send outfielders Norichika Aoki and Teoscar Hernandez north of the border.

Liriano, 33, was 6-5 in 18 starts for the Blue Jays in 2017 with a 5.88 ERA with 74 strikeouts in 82.2 innings of work. Liriano will be sent to the bullpen to help with left-handed bats. Liriano has allowed left-handed hitters to a .226 average this season (14x62), allowing just one home run.

Aoki, 34, was a waiver claim before the 2017 season. He batted .272 in 71 games with the Astros. Hernandez, 24, batted .279 in 79 games with 20 doubles, 12 home runs and 44 RBI with a .854 OPS.

In his career, Liriano is 1-1 with a 5.15 ERA in 29 appearances out of the bullpen. He hasn’t been used out of the pen more than six games since 2006.