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In between Father's Day events, the world cup, and a Sunday baseball game - the Astros made a few transactions in the bullpen.
The power of the V returns...
It's been an interesting road for Jose Veras once he left the Astros in 2013. Veras was traded to the Detroit Tigers on July 29 last season for Danry Vasquez and a player to be named later that turned into David Paulino. At the time of the trade, Veras the Astros' closer posting a record of 0-4 with a 2.93 ERA and 19 saves this season. He collected 44 strikeouts in 43 innings and just 14 walks.
Veras made 25 appearances with the Tigers collected a 3.20 ERA over 19.2 innings and two saves. Veras' future with the Tigers was sealed when Shane Victorino hit a grand slam off the right hander in game six of the American League Championship Series to put the Red Sox ahead and eventually win the game and the series.
This offseason, Veras signed a one-year deal with the Cubs for $3.85 million and a $150,000 buyout. Chicago named Veras the closer to start the season, but he lost the job rather quickly with an 8.10 ERA in 13 1/3 innings. He was on a rehab assignment in Double-A Tennessee when he was released Tuesday.
Veras will be send to Weiland Island and the plan is for him to report to Triple-A Oklahoma City shortly after.
Jose Veras thrilled to be back with Astros org. "I would have liked to have stayed all my life there."
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) June 15, 2014
Fields to DL, Clemens returns to the majors...
Jose Fields was removed from the game Saturday after feeling discomfort in his pitching forearm. The Astros have move quickly and placed Fields on the 15-Day disabled list. Paul Clemens has been called up to take his place on the 25-man roster. Clemens was most recently sent down to Triple-A Oklahoma City on June 8 for Rudy Owens. On June 11, he made a start for the RedHawks - giving up one run over four innings on four hits.
The Houston Chronicle's Evan Drellich spoke with Bo Porter about Fields -
"It's muscle," Porter said. "It could be two days, it could be five days, we don't know. But we don't want to rush him back and we had Clemens there, he's available, and gives us flexibility."