It Was Wesley

The Astros decided to send Wesley Wright to Round Rock to make room for Brandon Backe's re-activation on Friday. Backe will at last start out in an unfamiliar bullpen role, but at least he is back in the major leagues. Wright will make his first sojourn to the Astros minor league system after serving the mandatory full season on the big league roster as a Rule V draftee last year.

Things have not gone as well for Wright this season so the move to Round Rock is a much to get him straightened out as to give him more work which was the official explanation. I saw Wesley in the clubhouse following the game Wednesday and wished him well, pointing out that he does need more work. Wesley nodded and agreed. Astro fans will see him again this year for sure.

The club has two starting pitchers now having to work out of the bullpen in Russ Ortiz and Backe. Ortiz told me on the pre game interview Wednesday that he still isn't comfortable in the role and is still learning but the major object is to win games so he will do what he can.

He also pointed out that in his four starts the team was 3-1. That is just another way to point out that while he may not have been dominating he didn't kill the club's chances either and he wants to return to a starting role at some point.

With both Brian Moehler and Mike Hampton having been somewhat shaky in recent starts and with Moehler in particular experienced working out of the pen there might be a role reversal for either Ortiz or Backe with Moehler if he can't get back on track.

He will have that honor on Friday when he opens the series here against the Pirates and tries to lead the way in ending the current seven game losing streak.

He will need help. The offensive side of the team has hardly been impressive during this stretch. Few big hits and crooked number innings have put the pressure on the pitching.

That is certainly not to say the Astros have has some games in which they have scored early and enough that solid starting and bullpen pitching should be able to hold on. It just has not happenend enough.

Maybe a day off in Pittsburgh--or anywhere for that matter is what the team needs. Let's hope it pays off starting Friday.