Mark

McLemore

McLemore pitched a hitless inning in his only appearance for the Astros.

McLemore should get a long look in middle relief this time after barely being used in a couple of brief stints early on. He’ll likely prove to be an upgrade.

The Astros would have been better off keeping McLemore and forgetting that Rick White even exists. Instead, they’ve let the left-hander make just two appearances in two stints with the club.

McLemore was 0-1 with a 1.91 ERA in 14 games, including four starts, at Round Rock. The 26-year-old will work in relief for now, and he could be sent back down once Jason Jennings comes off the DL next week.

McLemore has given up five earned runs and struck out nine in 6 1/3 innings for the Astros this season. He’ll work in middle relief.

McLemore had pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings after taking over for Jason Jennings, who was shelled by the Padres.

McLemore pitched one scoreless inning for the Astros last month. He’ll get a longer look this time. When the Astros decide to go back down to 11 pitchers, it’d make sense to keep the left-hander and release Brian Moehler.

McLemore has given up five earned runs and struck out nine in 6 1/3 innings for the Astros this season.

McLemore always belonged in the pen anyway, and it make little sense that the Astros didn’t have him their initially, especially with him being out of options. He has less of a chance of making the team now than he would have had be been employed as a one-inning reliever initially.

Trying to turn McLemore into a starter this spring was misguided at best, but it did end up increasing Houston’s chances of keeping him. He always belonged in a relief role, but since he struggled in longer stints, the Astros had no problem getting him through waivers. The 27-year-old had a 12.91 ERA and a ridiculous 1/13 K/BB ratio in 7 2/3 innings this spring. He made 29 relief appearances for Housto last year and had a 3.86 ERA and a 35/18 K/BB ratio in 35 innings.