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| The Astros placed Woody Williams on unconditional release waivers Saturday, according to the AP. The Astros still owe him $6.5 million, but after he allowed five runs in three innings Friday and finished the spring with an 11.32 ERA, there really was no reason to keep him around. |
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| Woody Williams' struggles to earn the fifth and final spot on the Astros' starting rotation could come to an end on Sunday, according to MLB.com. The Astros are reportedly waiting until their last day of spring training to finalize the opening day roster, and Williams remains in the gray. In fact, manager Cecil Cooper and his corps have to decide who will occupy the final spot in the rotation, who will fill the bullpen and which two position players will nab the final roster spots. Williams will start Sunday against the Braves at the Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney World, and while Cooper didn't say definitively that Williams will have to have a good showing in his final spring appearance next weekend to merit making the rotation, that's probably where the situation is headed. Williams has a spring ERA of 13.89 over four starts. Chris Sampson, who will start Tuesday against the Tigers, and Jack Cassel are also in the mix. Brian Moehler has a good chance to make the team as a spot starter/long reliever. |
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| Woody Williams continues to struggle through a nightmarish spring, as he surrendered six runs (five earned) on nine hits over four inninngs of work against the Dodgers on Monday. His ERA sits at 13.89, and the Astros could be in trouble with him penciled in near the top of their rotation. |
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| The Houston Chronicle outlined Woody Williams' Wednesday performance as a veteran trying to explain another bad outing Wednesday — an eight-run, four-home run, 10-hit debacle — that has all but sealed his fate for those in touch with reality.
"It left me scratching my head, to tell you the truth," Williams said after the 11-4 exhibition loss to the Detroit Tigers.
Managers in any format, regardless of circumstance, that are depending on Williams - are in line for a long fantasy season. |
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| Woody Williams was torched for eight runs on 10 hits over three innings Wednesday in his second start of the spring. He gave up four longballs in the contest. This outing comes after he gave up five runs on six hits and two walks in 2 2/3 frames last week. His spring ERA now sits at 15.26. The veteran is looking to rebound this year after a disappointing first season in Houston, but consecutive starts like this isn't a good sign. |
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| According to the Houston Chronicle, Woody Williams was pleased with his effort on Thursday giving up five runs on six hits and two walks with four strikeouts over 2 2/3 innings today against the Cleveland Indians. The box score reports that Williams threw 40 of his 71 pitches for strikes.
Williams told the paper, "I think I threw a lot better than the numbers are going to show. I threw a lot of pitches, good pitches that they seemed not to put in play. They fouled them off. I went into a lot of deep counts, which is unusual for me. A lot of positives to take out of today and working for next time out."
Williams might have been pleased with his performance, but his line was horrible regardless. The Astros' pitching staff top to bottom is one of the weakest in the league, and ranks near the bottom with Baltimore's. Fantasy owners would be well served to avoid them all together regardless of format. |
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| Woody Williams faced the minimum in the Astros loss Saturday, allowing one hit in two innings of work. The veteran right-hander's only hit allowed was a single to Yunel Escobar. |
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| Woody Williams has volunteered to go to the bullpen so that the Astros can get a look at some younger players. Felipe Paulino is expected to start Tuesday. "I talked with Woody and he volunteered to step aside and go to the bullpen for the rest of the season so we can see some of these young kids," interim manager Cooper said in the AP. "Woody's a real professional." |
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| Woody Williams said his sore right elbow was feeling better Friday after receiving a cortisone injection Wednesday, according to the Houston Chronicle. "It's been cranky since spring training, and hopefully a little lube job will get me right and maybe it will enable me to finish my pitches," he said. |
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| Woody Williams received an anti-inflammatory shot in his right elbow Wednesday, a day after giving up nine hits in seven innings while losing to Pittsburgh 3-0, the AP reports. Williams had not complained previously of any elbow pain. "He's been a little tender, but he says he feels good," Phil Garner said of Williams. |
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| Woody Williams reported major improvement in the condition of his bruised shin yesterday, according to the Houston Chronicle. He threw a bullpen session Sunday and still is scheduled to start Tuesday's game, despite the injury. |
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| Woody Williams has a lot of swelling in his bruised right shin; the area is heavily wrapped to keep the swelling from moving down toward his ankle, according to the Houston Chronicle. "We're keeping it compressed and trying not to let it go down," he said. "We want (the swelling) to go up. I'm all right." He still hopes to make his scheduled start on Tuesday. |
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| Woody Williams sustained a severe bruise on his right shin when he was hit by a batted ball during Thursday's game, according to the Houston Chronicle. "I don't know how far it's going to linger, but I got smoked pretty good," Williams said. "Hopefully I'll have no problem going in my next start." |
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| Woody Williams worked four scoreless innings on Sunday, as he works his way back from a tender elbow this spring, according to the Houston Chronicle. "I felt better, getting there," Williams said. "It's not right where I want to be yet. I still have a few more outings. Every time is better and better." |
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| The Astros signed Woody Williams over the weekend, inking him to a two-year deal worth $12.5 million. The contract includes a club option for 2009, which would make the entire deal worth $19 million. Williams held a 2.93 ERA in the pitcher-friendly PETCO Park last year, and a 4.29 mark on the road. |
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| The Astros are in serious talks with the agent for Woody Williams, according to the Houston Chronicle. The 40-year-old Williams, who is from Houston, went 12-5 with a 3.65 ERA for the Padres last season. |
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| The Padres placed Woody Williams on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left calf on Saturday, according to the AP. He suffered the injury while running the bases in the second inning of Friday's game. |
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