HOUSTON -- Astros outfielder Preston Wilson was designated for assignment on Saturday, a roster move Houston made so it could promote pitcher Jason Hirsh from Triple-A Round Rock.
"I guess it's just the nature of the business," Wilson said. "I'm never shocked, but I'm disappointed."
Astros general manager Tim Purpura said the decision was "a tough one," but added, "certainly from a production point of view, I think he's been disappointed and so have we."
The team has 10 days to release Wilson, trade him or send him to the minors. Purpura said Wilson won't be demoted and said the Astros have already started exploring trade possibilities.
"In the last couple of days, we've talked to just about every club in baseball -- with a few exceptions," Purpura said. "There is some interest."
Hirsh was making his major league debut Saturday night against San Diego. His call-up was expected, but the corresponding move surprised Wilson, who was batting .269 and was second on the team with 55 RBI.
Houston signed Wilson on Jan. 3 to add power to the lineup, but he hit only nine home runs in 102 games. He made only two starts after July 29 and had been replaced in the regular lineup by Luke Scott, who's batting .413 since being recalled from Triple-A Round Rock on July 14.
Purpura said Wilson, 32, recently approached manager Phil Garner about his reduced playing time.
"He's a veteran player, he came here to play every day," Purpura said. "It's a difficult situation, certainly, to put a veteran player in. We're going to try make our best efforts to trade him to a place where he can get some playing time."
Wilson's contract paid him $4 million this season, but gave the Astros the option to re-sign him for the next three seasons and included a $500,000 buyout.
In nine seasons, Wilson hit .265 with 180 home runs and 646 RBI. He wasn't ready to consider his future options on Saturday.
"I would really like the opportunity to play," he said. "I don't feel, by any means, like I'm down to my last year. I feel like I've got five or six good years left in me."
Hirsh, 24, was 13-2 with a 2.10 ERA in 23 starts for Round Rock this season. He's won his last 12 starts since May 8 and leads the Pacific Coast League with 118 strikeouts.
HTownSmitty 
