The Astros have shut down 32-year old righty starting pitcher Roy Oswalt for the season due to lingering soreness in his back. He started 30 games for the Astros this season and he was 8-6 with a 4.12 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP. That was the highest ERA of Oswalt’s career. He has now pitched 9 years with the Astros covering 283 games (271 starts) in which he is 137-70 with a 3.23 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. It was smart to shut down Oswalt as back injuries are nothing to sneeze at.

You have to wonder if reserve infielder Jason Smith has some dirt on somebody in the Astros’ organization because he still has a job with them despite not even getting on base safely via a walk or a hit yet this season. Smith has played in 16 games for the Astros this season and he is 0 for 20 (.000 avg, .000 OPS) with 1 run scored and 1 RBI. The Astros need to cut Smith loose and get someone on the bench who can contribute with the bat.

UPDATE: The Astros finally came to their senses and they have got rid of Jason Smith. Smith finished up playing in 17 games for the Astros in which he was 0 for 21 (.000 avg, .000 OPS) with 1 run scored and 1 RBI. He was designated for assignment. The Astros have recalled righty reliever Alberto Arias to replace him on the roster. Arias pitched in 4 games (3 starts) in AAA so far this season and he was 2-2 with a 3.86 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. Arias has pitched in 22 games (2 starts) in his major league career and he is 2-1 with a 4.40 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP. The Astros hope that Arias will give them some help in the bullpen.

UPDATE II: Somehow Jason Smith got another chance with the Astros but he has now been outrighted to AAA. Why not just release him? Smith played in 21 games for the Astros this season and he was 0 for 25 (.000 avg) with 1 run scored and 1 RBI. Hopefully this is the last time the Astros call him up! Don’t they have anyone better than him in the minors?

The Houston Astros have placed closer Jose Valverde on the 15-day disabled list with a strained calf. He has pitched in 8 games (0 starts) this season for the Astros and he is 0-1 with 2 saves, a 5.63 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. Latroy Hawkins will replace Valverde as the closer while he is out. Hawkins has pitched in 10 games for the Astros this season and he is 0-0 with 2 saves, a 3.60 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. Hawkins has 78 career saves so he should be able to handle the pressure while Valverde is out, but, he’s not in Valverde’s league as a pitcher.

37-year old righty starting pitcher Brian Moehler was lucky he was hurt or the Astros might have just sent him home. He has a grade one medial collateral ligament strain in his right knee. He has started 2 games for the Astros this season and he is 0-2 with a 27.00 ERA and a 4.25 WHIP. He has allowed a stunning 15 hits in only 4 innings this season for the Astros. They will likely tell him to take his time coming back as he won’t likely be missed by the Stros’.

The Astros have placed righty reliever Doug Brocail on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right rotator cuff. Brocail has pitched in 3 games (0 starts) this season for the Astros and he is 1-0 with a 7.71 ERA and a 2.57 WHIP. The Astros have recalled 29-year old righty Jeff Fulchino to replace Brocail in the bullpen. Fulchino pitched in 12 games (0 starts) for the Royals last season and he was 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA and a 2.07 WHIP. He has now pitched in 13 games (0 starts) in his major league career and he is 0-1 with a 8.79 ERA and a 2.09 WHIP. The Astros will miss Brocail as he pitched pretty well for them last season.