Astros Catcher Shuffle Affects Express

HOUSTON, Texas - The Houston Astros announced late Tuesday the purchase of the contract of catcher Kevin Cash, who spent the season's first month with the Round Rock Express. The Astros optioned J.R. Towles from Houston to Double-A Corpus Christi and moved right-handed pitcher Alberto Arias on the 60-day DL to make room for Cash on the 40-man roster. Houston also promoted catcher Brian Esposito from Corpus Christi to Round Rock.

Cash, 32, joins the Astros after hitting .174 (4-for-23) with two RBI in seven games with the Express. He is a veteran of seven Major League seasons, spending time with Toronto (2002-2004), Tampa Bay (2005), Boston (2007-2008) and New York-AL (2009). Cash, one of a handful of players all-time to win World Series titles with both the Red Sox and the Yankees, owns a career .186 average (98-for 527) in 197 career Major League games.

Towles, 26, hit .191 (9-for-47) with one home run and eight RBI in 17 games with the Astros. He was Houston's Opening Day starter and started 13 of 26 games. He owns a career .189 average (53-for-281) with eight homers and 39 RBI in parts of four seasons (2007-2010) with the Astros.

Esposito, 31, is in his 11th professional season, spending time with six organizations: Boston (200-2003), Los Angeles-AL (2003), Texas (2004-2005), St. Louis (2006-2007), Colorado (2008) and Houston (2009-2010). In 14 games with Corpus Christi this season, Esposito hit .130 (6-for-46).

Round Rock continues its four-game series against Nashville with the series' third game Wednesday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CDT at The Dell Diamond.