The Angels today acquired minor league RHP Luis Madero from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange RHP David Hernandez. Today's announcement was made by Angels General Manager Billy Eppler.
Madero, 20, opened 2017 with Missoula in the Pioneer League and went 3-1 with a 3.99 ERA (29.1 IP - 13 ER) in five starts before being promoted to Class-A Hillsboro in the Northwest League on July 14. In four starts for Hillsboro, was 1-1 with an 8.24 ERA (19.2 IP - 18 ER). He has totaled 45 strikeouts for the season with just 11 walks.
A native of Maracay, Venezuela, Madero was originally signed by Arizona as a non-drafted free agent on Oct. 1, 2013 at age 16. In 2015, with the Arizona League Diamondbacks, led the AZL with a 2.30 ERA (54.2 IP - 14 ER) and .204 batting average against (40/196) and ranked second with a 0.99 WHIP. In 49 career minor league games (35 starts) in the Diamondbacks system, is 18-15 with a 4.13 ERA (233 IP - 107 ER) with 210 strikeouts.
Hernandez, 32, was acquired from the Atlanta Braves earlier this season on April 24 for cash considerations or a player to be named later. In 38 relief appearances for the Angels, he went 1-0 with one save and a 2.23 ERA (36.1 IP - 9 ER) with 37 strikeouts, eight walks and no home runs allowed. In eight Major League seasons, Hernandez has a 29-39 record with 21 saves, a 3.97 ERA (532.1 IP - 231 ER), 531 strikeouts and 215 walks in 417 games for the Orioles (2009-10), Diamondbacks (2011-13, '15), Phillies (2016) and Angels (2017).