BALTIMORE -- The pitching-strapped Houston Astros have acquired right-hander Hector Velazquez from the Baltimore Orioles for a player to named.
The deal, announced Wednesday, comes after the AL champion Astros learned that reigning Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander will be out a while with a strained forearm.
Velazquez went 1-4 with a 5.43 ERA with Boston last year before coming to the Orioles via a waiver claim in March. The 31-year-old was not on Baltimore's opening day roster but was part of the 60-man player pool.
Velazquez will report to Corpus Christi to join the Astros reserves at their alternate training site.