Astros place RHP Villarreal on waivers

Jul 10, 2008 - 7:57 PM HOUSTON (Ticker) -- The Houston Astros on Thursday placed righthander Oscar Villarreal on waivers after he rejected an assignment to Class AAA Round Rock.

Villarreal , 26, who was designated for assignment by the Astros on July 2, will be released if he does not clear waivers by Monday.

Acquired from the Atlanta Braves prior to the season, Villarreal went 1-3 with a 5.02 ERA in 35 appearances this season for the Astros. He owns a career mark of 24-15 with a 3.86 ERA in six seasons.

The Astros also announced Thursday that outfielder Reggie Abercrombie has accepted his minor league assignment and will report to Round Rock on Friday.

Abercrombie, also 26, hit .188 (3-for-16) with one home run in 14 games for Houston. The Astros claimed him off waivers from the Florida Marlins on October 11, 2007.