ARLINGTON -- The Astros plan to raise money for victims of this week's floods in Houston through the Astros Foundation's Share2Care raffle to be held during this weekend's series against the Red Sox at Minute Maid Park. All of the Foundation's proceeds from the three-game series will go the American Red Cross' Houston flood-relief efforts.
Share2Care is a 50/50 raffle held by the Astros Foundation at each home game. Fans can purchase tickets at several locations throughout Minute Maid Park. One winning ticket is selected each game, with the winner receiving half of that game's raffle proceeds and the Astros Foundation receiving the other half.
"The Astros are pleased to team up with the local chapter of the American Red Cross, our longtime partner for relief efforts," Astros president Reid Ryan said. "We are committed to providing assistance for the residents of our city that are in need right now. We encourage fans and the community to come to the games this weekend and join us in giving back to the people of Houston. Our collective efforts will make a big difference for Houstonians."
• Rookie right-hander Chris Devenski, who threw 26 pitches in three innings of relief in Tuesday's series opener, could wind up in the rotation at some point, though the Astros remain committed to the five starters they currently have. Devenski is a starter by nature but has been impressive in long relief so far this season.
Manager A.J. Hinch said that Devenski's aggressiveness and his changeup could serve him well as a starter.
"Obviously, we've got to make a determination on what's the best use of him," Hinch said. "I could see him factoring in as a starter at some point. The test in the big leagues is seeing guys the second, third and fourth time through [the order]. It becomes increasingly difficult. Your weapon becomes more normalized if you have to show it 20 or 30 times in a game as opposed to two or three or four. Time would tell if that would be an effective role for him."
General manager Jeff Luhnow said if a need arises in the rotation, Devenski's name will come up quickly.
"One of the things that impressed me about [Tuesday] is the fact he was able to go through multiple innings with a low pitch count," Luhnow said. "Whether that's in relief or in the rotation, that's a key part of keeping the bullpen rested and keeping us in these games."
• Hinch had a chance to clear the air on Wednesday with Rangers starter Derek Holland, who told reporters following Tuesday's start that he thought the Astros were tipping some of his pitches to one another by whistling and making other noises. Hinch said such allegations are false.
"He's wrong," Hinch said. "I don't think we were doing anything extreme. We don't whistle, we don't yell out when guys are making moves. Pitchers tip their pitches sometimes in different ways. There wasn't any gamesmanship. There were adjustments [during the] game in some of his usage and location, but generally speaking, when things like that happen, everybody's always looking for a reason, but there wasn't any foul play at all. I let him know that, and he was great about it and we'll move on."
• Right-hander Lance McCullers, who's rehabbing from soreness in his shoulder, responded well to his bullpen session on Tuesday and will throw again off the mound on Friday. If all goes well, he'll go back out on his Minor League rehab assignment.