Orlando Hernandez

Orlando Hernandez has attempted comebacks in consecutive seasons and expressed interest in pitching in the Major Leagues this year, but he's ready to officially end his career. The right-hander will announce his retirement, according to Andy Martino of the New York Daily News (on Twitter).

El Duque last pitched in the Major Leagues for the 2007 Mets, but he made a name for himself across town as a playoff standout for the Yankees. Armed with a deceptive delivery, he suited up for the Yankees from 1998-2004, appearing in 16 postseason games with the club and helping New York win three consecutive World Championships.

Now 45, Hernandez retires with a playoff ERA of 2.55 with 9.1 K/9 and 4.7 BB/9 in 106 innings. His regular season numbers are not quite as strong: a 4.13 ERA with 7.4 K/9 and 3.3 BB/9 in 1314 2/3 innings. In nine MLB seasons, Hernandez earned over $34.5MM.

The Rangers signed Hernandez in 2009 and the Nationals signed him in 2010, but neither club called him up despite solid numbers in the minor leagues. In 15 2/3 innings for Nationals affiliates, he posted a 1.72 ERA with 12.1 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9, though he was 44 at the time.

Orlando Hernandez hasn't pitched in the majors for three years, but he intends to play in 2011, according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson (on Twitter). The Cuban right-hander has tried to reach the majors in each of the past two seasons without making it higher than Triple-A. But even at 45 years old, the former playoff hero believes he has the stuff to pitch in the major leagues.

Hernandez's minor league numbers suggest he may have what it takes to pitch at the highest level. He has stuck out more than a batter per inning at each one of the four minor league stops he has made over the course of the past two seasons. His ERA has never been above 2.45 in that time, but he has logged just 26.2 innings, so the sample size is small.

The Rangers, who signed Hernandez last year, and the Nationals, who signed him this year, did not call him up despite his numbers. If anyone can match Jamie Moyer's late-career success, it could be El Duque, who has never relied on an overpowering fastball and has always had a deceptive delivery.

Orlando Hernandez is still working out and throwing because he wants to play in the majors again, according to Jorge Arangure Jr. of ESPN.com. El Duque, 44, says he's willing to start or relieve. His agent says several teams are interested, but not quite yet. They'd prefer to wait until after Spring Training to assess their needs.