Opting to go with 13 pitchers, the Astros designated utility infielder Tomas Perez for assignment Wednesday night and will call up right-hander Jack Cassel to start Thursday against the Cincinnati Reds.
With injured third baseman Ty Wigginton moving closer toward coming off the disabled list, the Astros will go with one extra pitcher for the immediate future. Backup catcher Brad Ausmus, who played the final two innings at first base during the Astros' 9-3 victory over the Reds on Wednesday night, will serve as the extra backup infielder behind Mark Loretta and Geoff Blum at least until Wigginton comes off the DL. "We're just going to go with 13 (pitchers) for now," manager Cecil Cooper said. "Brad Ausmus is my other utility player, other middle infielder or first baseman or third baseman or whatever. Just going to go that route for now and see how that works out."
Perez hit .200 (2-for-10).
"It's tough for me," he said. "I think it's tougher for the manager and them to make a decision. It's baseball."
Perez handled the move with class and vowed to accept his assignment if he clears waivers. The move is effective on Thursday, so the Astros have 10 days to trade, release or outright him to Class AAA Round Rock.
ASTROS 9, REDS 3: The Astros mounted a seven-run, two-out rally in the fourth inning to take control of a game they led 2-1. Pitcher Chris Sampson was solid while giving up only two runs through seven hits while Darin Erstad and Hunter Pence each had three hits.
![houston-astros-[score]](http://www.astrosportal.com/photos/datamax/image36.jpg)
