The Astros catchers’ are both hitting terrible this season and the team can’t afford to go with these guys much longer. Rookie J.R. Towles was supposed to be the answer behind the plate for the Astros based on his strong showing last September. But, he has truly been awful with a bat in his hands. Towles has played in 39 games this season for the Astros and he is 16 for 109 (.147 avg, .567 OPS) with 9 runs scored, 4 homers and 13 RBIs. Veteran Brad Ausmas hasn’t played well enough to take the job away from Towles. Ausmas has played in 25 games for the Astros this season and he is 13 for 66 (.197 avg, .494 OPS) with 4 runs scored, 1 homer and 6 RBIs. The Astros should look to make a trade for a young catcher like Cleveland’s Kelly Shoppach or Seattle’s Jeff Clement.

The Astros have signed 31-year old righty Jorge Sosa to a minor league contract. Sosa has pitched in 20 games (0 starts) this season for the Mets and he was 4-1 with a 7.06 ERA and a 1.89 WHIP. Sosa has now pitched in 254 games (88 starts) in his major league career and he is 40-49 with 5 saves, a 4.67 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. This was a nice low risk signing for the Astros as Sosa does have a good arm.

The Astros have designated Dave Borkowski for assignment and have activated Wandy Rodriguez from the D.L. Borkowski deserved to go based on his pitching this season. He has pitched in 18 games (0 starts) for the Astros this season and he is 0-2 with a 6.86 ERA and a 1.86 WHIP. Borkowski allowed 33 hits and 5 homers in only 21 innings this season for the Astros. Wandy Rodriguez has started 4 games for the Astros this season and he is 1-0 with a 2.31 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. The Astros will have open arms for Rodriguez as they need help in the starting rotation.

Veteran lefty Tim Byrdak is off to a good start of his Houston Astros’ career. He has pitched in 14 games for the Astros this season and he is 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP. His only drawback so far this season is the fact that he has walked 8 batters in only 11.1 innings. Byrdak has appeared to find a home in Houston as the only lefty they had in the bullpen was Rule 5 pick Wesley Wright.

The Astros have placed righty reliever Geoff Geary on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right groin. Geary has pitched in 19 games this season for the Astros and he is 1-1 with a 1.47 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP. The Astros have recalled 25-year old righty Fernando Nieve to replace Geary in the bullpen. Nieve has pitched in 2 games so far for the Astros this season and he is 0-0 with a 3.38 ERA and a 1.87 WHIP. In 9 games (7 starts) in AAA ball this season, Nieve was 1-3 with a 5.08 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. Nieve should do a decent job for the Astros but they will still miss Geary who has been great so far this season.