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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, May 16, 2001

Astros' Truby sent to minor leagues

Associated Press

CHICAGO — Houston third baseman Chris Truby was sent to the minor leagues yesterday when the Astros signed Vinny Castilla to a one-year contract.

Chris Truby hit .217 for Houston.

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Truby, a 1992 graduate of Damien Memorial High School in Honolulu, took over the starting third base job this season but has struggled offensively. Truby hit .217 with seven homers and 22 RBIs in 34 games, but he also struck out 33 times.

Truby was sent to Triple-A New Orleans.

Castilla, released by Tampa Bay last week, started in the Astros' 9-7 victory over the Chicago Cubs last night. Castilla was 3-for-5, including an RBI double in the fourth and a home run to lead off the sixth.

Though telling Truby he was being sent down was one of the toughest things he's had to do, manager Larry Dierker said they had nothing to lose by signing Castilla.

"There's nothing wrong with Chris Truby," Dierker said. "In the end, the overwhelming aspect of doing it or not doing it was, what do we have to lose? We still have Truby. And we didn't have to spend a lot."

Houston will pay Castilla $153,005 — a prorated share of the $200,000 minimum — with Tampa Bay responsible for the rest of his $7 million salary in the final season of a $24 million, four-year contract.

Castilla, 33, was hitting .215 with two homers and nine RBIs in 93 at-bats before Tampa Bay waived him.