Official Site of the Astros · Jul 21, 2015
Astros designate Thatcher, call up Velasquez
Thatcher whiffs Flores 0:21 3/23/15: Joe Thatcher strikes out Jesus Flores to record the second out of the 8th inning HOUSTON -- Veteran left-handed pitcher Joe Thatcher was designated for assignment by the Astros on Tuesday to make room on the roster for rookie right-hander Vincent Velasquez, who was called up to start the series opener against the Red Sox.
Thatcher, who made the club out of the spring as a non-roster invite, threw 19 innings in 36 games for Houston, allowing 21 hits, 11 walks and eight runs (3.79 ERA). He struck out 22 batters, but he had allowed four runs in 1 1/3 innings in his last five outings.