Nelson Figueroa is "so valuable," says Brad Mills, that the Astros would rather him not throw the ball as long in games.
The Nelson Figueroa Experiment fell flat on its face after five starts, three of them of the Disaster variety. His 5IP, 6H/4ER, 2K:3BB outing against St. Louis in G25 actually lowered his ERA to 8.28, and nine of the 37 hits he allowed were for extra-bases. So he moves to the bullpen.
Mills:
"It's a dual move to help strengthen our bullpen a little bit because Figgy's so valuable because he can do everything -- short [relief], long, middle, whatever we need. And I think that's another experienced arm that we're going to be able to put down there, and he's active for tonight."
Aneury Rodriguez moves into that spot, and has pitched better after a rough start to the season, where he has allowed 1ER in his last 4.2IP. He was a starter for the large majority of his career in the minors.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
