Brandon Backe News

Indians option Barfield - Infielder Josh Barfield has been optioned to Class AAA Columbus by Cleveland, clearing a roster spot for newly acquired righthander Chris Perez.

Brandon Backe will try to catch on with another team. He declined an offer by the Astros to pitch in the minor leagues and was placed on waivers .

BBNAstros-Backe,0165 Astros waive RHP Brandon Backe Eds: APNewsNow. SAN DIEGO The Houston Astros placed right-handed pitcher Brandon Backe on waivers Monday.

Slowly but surely, the Astros are managing to piece themselves back together. Infielder Geoff Blum, who's been on the disabled list since June 13 with a strained left hamstring, will begin a two-game Minor League rehab assignment Thursday with Triple-A Round Rock when it plays at Oklahoma City.

Brandon Backe has run out of chances with the Houston Astros. Astros General Manager Ed Wade announced following Friday's game that the team was designated Backe for assignment in order to make room for Felipe Paulino.

Still harboring a bit of doubt, Astros manager Cecil Cooper said Felipe Paulino is scheduled to come off the disabled list and be his starter on Saturday.

Manager Cecil Cooper announced Thursday that Felipe Paulino will be back in the Astros' rotation and take the mound Saturday against the Tigers.

DRB contributor Matthan has done some very comprehensive work on the performance of pitchers in year 1 and year 2 under the direction of pitching coach Jim Hickey.

Bud Norris, shown during spring training, leads the Pacific Coast League in ERA and was recently named pitcher of the week.

"Well, I thought it was a swing and a foul tip," Cooper said. "The umpire said it wasn't, and I just yelled at him that I thought he was wrong.

Wednesday: Rangers 5, Astros 4 . Record: 29-34. Today: At Texas, 7:05. Pitchers: Brandon Backe vs.

In peril of being swept in the annual Lone Star Series for the first time since they began playing the interleague matchup in 2001, the Astros' Hunter Pence saved the Astros against the team he grew up cheering.

Brandon Backe proved he was healthy and fully recovered from Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery when he made 31 starts last year.

Astros lefthander Mike Hampton addressed the media Wednesday for the first time since he was put on the disabled list Tuesday with a strained left groin.

Astros lefthander Mike Hampton, who strained his left groin on his last pitch Friday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday night.

Haren wasn't going to let it happen again Friday night. Haren pitched his first career two-hitter and drove in five runs with a homer and three doubles, leading the Diamondbacks to an 8-1 victory over the Houston Astros .

With no answers for Dan Haren on the mound or for Mark Reynolds at bat, the Astros opened their nine-game road trip with an 8-1 loss to the D-backs on Friday night.

This was originally published back before the 2007 season, and it's one of my favorite pieces that we've ever run here.

The stay lasted a little longer than a cup of coffee, but Michael Diaz savored every sip.

People and egos are a constant source of amazement or aggravation, depending on one's point of view.