Astros option Vince Velasquez to Double A; Brett Oberholtzer to start Thursday

Vincent Velasquez went toe-to-toe with the 2014 Cy-Young Award Winner Corey Kluber and held his own. As a bit of surprise, the Astros optioned Velasquez following the game to Double Corpus Christi.

Following tonight's game, RHP Vince Velasquez was optioned to Corpus Christi (AA). LHP Brett Oberholtzer will be recalled and start Thurs.

— Houston Astros (@astros) July 8, 2015

Velasquez picked up his first decision as starter in his first, a loss, after giving two runs on six hits with five strikeouts and two walks. Velasquez is 0-1 with a 3.94 ERA (14 ER/32.0 IP) with 31 strikeouts and 14 walks in six starts. After struggling with high pitch counts, the Astros young right-hander has pitched at least six inning in his last three starts.

The Astros have called up Brett Oberholtzer to start on Thursday, pushing back Collin McHugh to Friday.

Oberholtzer was recently optioned having a mental lapse, giving up six runs over 1 1/3 against the Yankees and throwing at Alex Rodriguez following giving up his second home run.

Oberholtzer has a 2-1 record with 4.32 (33.1 IP/16 ER) with 24 strikeouts and 16 walks. In one start with Fresno, he gave up three runs over six innings on six hits with four strikeouts and two walks.

Again this doesn't appear to be a traditional demotion for Velasquez, rather a choice of convenience with the All-Game looming. The Astros want to give Velasquez some rest and at the same time add another arm for the rotation.