There's a little song and dance going on: the Royals designate a player for assignment, the Astros pick him up.
Such is the case as the Astros signed LHP Neal Musser to a minor-league contract today. He has already passed his physical and thrown a bullpen session with the Astros.
Neal is a 28-year old lefty from Otterbein, Indiana and was a 2nd-round pick by the Mets in 1999. In 10 minor-league seasons, Musser has started 150 of 226 games, and is 57-54 with a 3.78 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. 688 strikeouts to 351 walks. I imagine he's headed to Round Rock.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
