Brad Peacock and Rhiner Cruz sent to minors

The Astros are calling up Jordan Lyles and Dallas Keuchel for tonight’s game against Detroit. That means two players will need to be sent out to make room for the two pitchers. The Astros have announced that Brad Peacock and Rhiner Cruz are the two who will be demoted. Both are headed to AAA Oklahoma City.

The Astros want Peacock to be a starter and he simply wasn’t getting the job done in Houston. He also failed to impress in his one appearance out of the bullpen, giving up a homerun to the first batter he faced. If Peacock can get things turned around at AAA, he could be back with the Astros in the near future. There was some speculation that perhaps Erik Bedard and/or Philip Humbermight be released to make room for Lyles and Keuchel. The two veterans have had their struggles and time could be running out for both of them.

Dallas Keuchel (Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports)

Rhiner Cruz had a WHIP above 2.0 in 14 relief appearances this season. The 26-year old from the Dominican Republic has had trouble keeping his 96 m.p.h. fastball in the strike zone throughout his career. Cruz has walked nine batters in only 14 & 1/3 innings this season.

Jordan Lyles will take Peacock’s spot in the starting rotation and will be on the mound tonight against the Tigers. Keuchel gets his second call-up of the season. The lefty will presumably work as a long man out of the Astros bullpen, a role he filled earlier in the season.