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.

The Astros have placed 29-year old righty swinging 2B/OF Jason Bourgeios on the 15-day disabled list due to a strained right quadriceps muscle. Bourgeios has played in 45 games for the Astros so far this year and he is 36 for 102 (.353 avg, .793 OPS) with 14 runs scored, 0 homers, 9 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. This is a bad break for Bourgeios who was likely to get a big shot at expanded P.T. The Astros have called up 27-year old lefty swinging outfielder Brian Bogusevic to replace Bourgeios on the active roster. Bogusevic played in 25 games earlier this year for the Astros and he was 6 for 27 (.222 avg, .545 OPS) with 3 runs scored and 1 RBI.