The Astros have claimed 24-year old righty swinging 3B German Duran off waivers from the Rangers. Duran has played in 25 games in AAA-ball this season and he is 13 for 87 (.149 avg, .392 OPS) with 6 runs scored, 1 homer and 7 RBIs. The Astros don’t have much depth at 3B and that was the reason for them claiming Duran. Duran played in 60 games last season as a rookie for the Rangers and he was 33 for 143 (.231 avg, .625 OPS) with 22 runs scored, 3 homers and 16 RBIs. This was a good low risk gamble for the Astros as Duran does possess some talent.

The Astros have designated 31-year old righty Brandon Backe for assignment. Backe pitched in 5 games (1 start) this season for the Astros and he was 0-0 with a 10.38 ERA and a 2.08 WHIP. In parts of six seasons with the Astros, Backe has pitched in 108 games (79 starts) in which he is 30-28 with a 5.16 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP. With the state of the Astros’ pitching staff they must be really convinced that Backe can’t help them in order to get rid of him.

It’s amazing that 37-year old righty starting pitcher Brian Moehler still has a job based on how he has pitched this season. He has started 11 games for the Astros this season and he is 4-4 with a 6.43 ERA and a 1.59 WHIP. Moehler has allowed a stunning 74 hits (12 of which are homers!) in only 56 innings this season for the Astros. The most amazing thing about the Astros’ pitching staff if that they don’t have anyone better than Moehler to replace him with.

Hunter Pence just continues to improve for the Houston Astros. He has played in 68 games for the Astros this season and he is 82 for 249 (.329 avg, .938 OPS) with 42 runs scored, 10 homers, 29 RBIs and 8 stolen bases. Pence has been one of the best hitters for the Astros and he is a good defensive outfielder. Pence would likely be the Astros’ MVP if the season ended today and here’s to hoping that he makes the All-Star team if he continues to play at this level.

When the Astros traded five players for Miguel Tejada last season they were expecting his usual power numbers. But, his first day as an Astro was the same day he was named in the Mitchell Report. He has turned into a singles hitting shortstop and that’s not what the Astros bargained for. He has played in 28 games for the Astros this season and he is 33 for 115 (.287 avg, .674 OPS) with 13 runs scored, 0 homers and 8 RBIs. Tejada has now played in 186 games in his career with the Astros and he is 212 for 747 (.284 avg) with 105 runs scored, 13 homers, 74 RBIs and 8 stolen bases. It appears that the Orioles pulled a fast one on the Astros two winters ago.