Astros roster moves: Kyle Farnsworth sent down, Jose Veras called up

Well, that didn't last long. A day after Houston swapped its left fielders, it did the same for its middle relief corps. On Thursday morning, the Astros announced they had outrighted right-hander Kyle Farnsworth off the active roster and called up right-hander Jose Veras.

Veras was released by the Cubs earlier this season after dealing with an injury that caused a drop in both his velocity and his effectiveness. He signed a deal with Houston and has pitched twice for OKC since coming to the Astros organization. He struck out four in 2 innings with a walk and a hit allowed.

Farnsworth was picked up after being released by the Mets earlier this season. Farnsworth was due a roster bonus from New York and the Mets chose to release him rather than pay the bonus. He then signed with the Astros for $1.2 million in performance bonuses. In 11 2/3 innings, Farnsworth posted a 6.17 ERA with eight strikeouts, nine walks and 14 hits allowed.

This will be Veras' second tour of duty in Houston, after signing with the Astros before the 2013 season and being installed as closer. In 43 innings with the Astros that season, he posted a 2.93 ERA with 19 saves and 44 strikeouts with just 14 walks. He was then traded to the Detroit Tigers for minor league outfielder Danry Vasquez and David Paulino.

Houston's bullpen hasn't been a problem, but it appears the Astros front office is attempting to shake up the status quo and get the team out of this current funk. Veras also gives Bo Porter another trusted arm in the bullpen, which may lessen the amount of time Jerome Williams pitches in non-long relief situations.

Does this move do anything for you? Or will this produce the collective *yawn* that the Grossman/Hoes move Wednesday did?