Astros option four to Minor Leagues

HOUSTON -- The Astros cleared some space on their 40-man roster Wednesday, outrighting four players to Triple-A Round Rock.

Right-handers Dave Borkowski, Jack Cassel and Ryan Houston as well as infielder Jose Castillo were removed from the roster. Borkowski and Castillo have the right to refuse the outright assignments and become free agents, while Cassel and Houston automatically become Minor League free agents based on their respective Minor League service time.

Making room on a 40-man roster this time of year is a routine procedure designed to give teams flexibility to make waiver claims, add their own Minor Leaguers prior to the Rule 5 Draft in December and sign free agents. The Astros' roster now stands at 36.

"We needed to carve out roster space," general manager Ed Wade said. "It's normal housekeeping. It's not always easy, but it's necessary."

Although the players are off the roster, that doesn't necessarily mean the Astros have closed their doors to them for good. They could return next year as non-roster invitees to Spring Training.

[Assistant general manager Dave Gottfried] talked to all four," Wade said. "He indicated as we go forward here and try to review where we are, we'll see if there's potential to be back in touch with them. All four, at different times, helped our ballclub."

Borkowski, 31, was 0-2 with a 7.50 ERA over 26 appearances for the Astros in 2008. In 181 career Major League games (21 starts) with Detroit (1999-2001), Baltimore (2004) and Houston (2006-08), he is 13-20 lifetime with one save and a 5.87 ERA.

Cassel, 28, was 1-1 with a 5.64 ERA over nine games (three starts) for the Astros this year. In 15 career big league games -- including seven starts -- over two seasons with San Diego (2007) and Houston (2008), Cassel is 2-2 with a 4.92 ERA.

Castillo, 27, hit .281 (9-for-32) with two RBIs in 15 games for the Astros after the club claimed him off waivers from the Giants on Aug. 20. He played in 127 big league games in '08, hitting .246 with six homers and 37 RBIs. Over 592 career Major League games over five seasons with Pittsburgh (2004-07), San Francisco (2008) and Houston (2008), Castillo has hit .254 with 39 home runs and 218 RBIs.