Jerome Williams was DFA'd. A number of people around the team have commented that he treated people very well, and was generally a pleasure to be around. Evan Dellich on Twitter:
"Jerome Williams was a treat to be around. Performance is performance, but he treats people extraordinarily well."
However, 5.91 ERA through 45-and-two-thirds wasn't getting it done, so he is gone, possibly to Oklahoma, but they have plenty of pitching there.
And Jerome Williams:
"Just wanna say good luck to all of the guys on the @astros was a pleasure playing with you guys. Front office and coaching staff, good luck."
Jonathan Villar has been optioned back to OKC as well. I was really impressed with Villar early in the season, but he seems to have lost concentration on defence over the last few months, and his woes at the plate are well documented (batting averages by month, March -> June: .241, .156, .200; extra-base hits by month: 11, 4, 3).
No word on the corresponding move yet. Anthony Bass will take one of the slots. My pick is that the Astros will showcase Marwin Gonzalez for a trade, and Enrique Hernandez will get his feet wet as a utility guy. However, I have been wrong before, and it will probably happen again.
Stay tuned.
