Mike

Gallo

This is overdue. Gallo has been worse than his 6.02 ERA indicates. Left-handers were hitting .360 against him and right-handers .422. He also walked seven in 16 1/3 innings, leaving him with a 2.14 WHIP.

Gallo had a 3.64 ERA in 54 1/3 IP for Round Rock. The 28-year-old had a 4.08 ERA while spending most of 2003 and 2004 in the Houston pen. He’ll be used primarily as a specialist.

They didn’t want to do it, but because of Gallo’s 9.35 ERA, the Astros will open the season without a lefty reliever. By going with 11 pitchers, Eric Bruntlett makes the team as a seventh infielder. The bullpen will consist of Octavio Dotel, Brad Lidge, Dan Miceli, Ricky Stone, Brandon Duckworth and Jared Fernandez.

Manager Jimy Williams could only go so long without having a lefty specialist in the pen. Gallo didn’t show anything this spring -- if he had, he would have made the team -- so not much should be expected of him now.

Gallo, who is in the majors for the first time, had a 2.08 ERA in 16 relief appearances for New Orleans after being promoted from Double-A Round Rock last month. He shouldn’t have any fantasy value as one of Houston’s relievers.

Gallo was sent down to Triple-A early last month. This gets off the 40-man roster, opening up a spot for Brandon Backe.

Gallo is supposed to be a lefty specialist, but left-handers hit .360 against him last year and are at .279 against him in his career. He had a 4.11 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP in 116 innings with the Astros over the last four years.

Gallo a lefty has allowed lefthanders to hit .412 off him this season. Ezequiel Astacio is another candidate to be sent to Triple-A Round Rock.