The Astros have designated right-hander Edgar Gonzalez for assignment, according to Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle (on Twitter). The move creates a spot on the 40-man roster for Travis Blackley, whom the Astros acquired from the Athletics yesterday.
Gonzalez, 30, pitched 25 innings and totaled a 5.04 ERA to go along with a 6.5 K/9, 2.9 BB/9 and a 46.2 percent ground-ball rate for the Astros in 2012. Originally signed by the Diamondbacks in 2000, Gonzalez has appeared in parts of nine Major League seasons between the D-backs, A's and Astros. He has a 5.84 ERA in 350 career innings.
