Astros acquire LeBlanc; Peacock optioned
Veteran lefty claimed off waivers from Marlins, will join Houston on Sunday
KANSAS CITY -- In an effort to upgrade their bullpen, the Astros on Saturday claimed left-hander Wade LeBlanc off waivers from the Miami Marlins. LeBlanc, 28, will join the club on Sunday in Kansas City.
To make room on the roster, Houston optioned right-hander Brad Peacock to Triple-A Oklahoma City following Saturday's 7-2 loss, where he will be groomed as a starter.
LeBlanc went 1-5 with a 5.18 ERA for the Marlins this season. He appeared in 13 games and made seven starts. Over 48 2/3 innings, LeBlanc struck out 31 and walked 15. He was 2-5 for Miami with a 3.67 ERA in 2012.
From 2008-11, LeBlanc pitched for the Padres and that was when he caught the eye of Astros manager Bo Porter. LeBlanc was 8-12 for San Diego with a 4.25 ERA over 146 innings in 2010.
"I saw him and liked him when he was in San Diego," Porter said. "He has been a starter and a long reliever. He's got a really good changeup and he's another guy to add to the mix in that long relief bullpen role."
Peacock was 1-3 with an 8.07 ERA, but performed well in long relief on Saturday before getting the news after that he was headed for Oklahoma City. Peacock worked 3 1/3 innings and allowed two hits and one run.
"All I care about is that I left a good impression before I left," Peacock said. "They want me to be a starter, so I'll be starting in OKC. That's my ultimate goal, to be a starter up here."