26-year old righty Lucas Harrell is going to take 26-year old Bud Norris’ last start this year as he has been shut down for the year with the shoulder injury.  Norris pitched in 31 games (all starts) for the Astros this year and he was 6-11 with a 3.77 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP.  Lucas Harrell has pitched in 4 games (1 start) for the Astros so far this year and he is 0-1 with a 2.00 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP.  He has now pitched in 7 games (1 start) overall this year by the Astros & White Sox and he is 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP.

The Houston Astros have lost 35-year old righty swinging outfielder Jason Michaels for the rest of the season due to a fractured left hand. Michaels played in 89 games for the Astros this year and he was 31 for 156 (.199 avg, .551 OPS) with 10 runs scored, 2 homers, 10 RBIs and 1 stolen base. He has now played in 297 games in his first three years with the Astros and Michaels is 110 for 477 (.231 avg) with 50 runs scored, 14 homers, 52 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. This could signal the end of Michaels time with the Astros.

The Astros have placed 27-year old lefty reliever Sergio Escalona on the 15-day disabled list due to left elbow tendinitis. Escalona has pitched in 48 games (0 starts) for the Astros so far this year and he is 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. He has only given up 23 hits in his first 27 innings pitched this year while whiffing 25 batters, so he has been impressive. But, he has walked 11 batters this year, so he will need to tighten up his control in the near future.

The Astros have placed 25-year old righty reliever Enerio Del Rosario on the 15-day disabled list due to a right shoulder strain. Del Rosario has pitched in 44 games (0 starts) for the Astros so far this year and he is 0-2 with a 4.50 ERA and a 1.70 WHIP. The Astros have called up 31-year old righty reliever Jeff Fulchino to replace Del Rosario in the bullpen. Fulchino pitched in 30 games (0 starts) earlier this year for the Astros and he was 1-3 with a 4.88 ERA and a 1.59 WHIP.

The Astros have placed 25-year old lefty reliever Fernando Abad on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to July 3rd with a case of left shoulder tendinitis. Abad has pitched in 29 games (0 starts) for the Astros so far this year and he is 1-4 with a 7.32 ERA and a 1.88 WHIP. Abad has given up 28 hits (5 homers) and he has walked 9 batters in only 19 2/3 innings so far this year, so he has been pretty terrible. The Astros know that Abad is better than he has shown so far this year, so they hope he heals up quickly.