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He's been called everything from a "difference maker" to "Darth Vader," a deceptive starting pitcher who gets inside a batter's head while using "the Force." Come Friday, Diamondbacks fans will get to see for themselves just what Arizona acquired in right-hander Livan Hernandez, who was obtained on Monday in a deal that sent pitching prospects Garrett Mock and Matt Chico to the Washington Nationals.

Hernandez, 31, who is signed through next season for $7 million, likely will make his Diamondbacks debut on Friday against visiting Florida. He joins a starting rotation that, beyond All-Star Brandon Webb, hasn't been able to pitch deep into games.

Arizona tried to find another starting pitcher before the trade deadline but didn't want to part with its top position player prospects. Being in the thick of a playoff race, the organization felt it could risk moving Mock and Chico, who are both 23, to take a run at the National League West title or the wild card.

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