Astros sign Jerome Williams

The Astros and former Los Angeles Angeles pitcher Jerome Williams have agreed to a deal, pending a physical. Details are currently undisclosed.

Williams was non-tendered by the Angels in December after posting a 4.57 ERA and 107/55 K/BB ratio with a 9-10 record in 2013.

An assortment of reasons (other signings, lack of internal arms, injuries) made Jerome Williams a mainstay in the Angels rotation last season. He started 25 games, his highest since way back in 2004 with the San Francisco Giants.

Selected by the Giants in the first round of the 1999 Draft (39th overall) Williams has accumulated just under 5 and a half years of service time since his debut in 2003.

In the last two seasons Williams has appeared in 69 games, starting 40 and finishing 15, 14 as a reliever.

His flexibility to start or be a reliever is something the Astros were seeking as they continue to work their next wave of pitchers into the mix.

Anthony Bass, acquired in December from the San Diego Padres, is in a similar boat, with Williams a more likely candidate to take a rotation spot.

Williams also reportedly drew interest from the Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago Cubs.