The Astros placed left-handed specialist Sergio Escalona on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday due to tendinitis in his left elbow, and in a corresponding roster move, have recalled right-handed reliever Juan Abreu from Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Astros general manager Ed Wade made the announcement.
The 27-year-old Escalona will be eligible for reinstatement on Sept. 7, as his DL stint has been backdated to begin on Aug. 22.
Escalona is 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA in 48 relief appearances while holding opponents to a .232 batting average for the Astros this season.
The Astros acquired Abreu, along with center fielder Jordan Schafer and minor league pitchers Paul Clemens and Brett Oberholtzer, from the Atlanta Braves on July 31 in exchange for 2010 NL All-Star and two-time Gold Glove Award winner Michael Bourn.
Abreu, 26, will join the Astros for the start of their four-game series Thursday against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park.
It marks his first career stint on a major league roster.
The hard-throwing right-hander went 1-0 with a 1.86 ERA and three saves over 9 2/3 innings in seven relief appearances at Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he was assigned upon joining the Astros.
Abreu posted a 4-3 record with a 2.25 ERA and one save in 41 appearances for Triple-A Gwinnett in the Braves' farm system this season.
Catcher Brian Esposito, who's currently in the Astros' system at Double-A Corpus Christi, had an opportunity to work with Abreu at Oklahoma City, and finds himself very impressed with the explosive arm the young right-hander brings to the table.
"I got to see Abreu up at Triple-A," Esposito said. "He throws the ball well. He's got a good arm and has the ability to touch triple digits. He's a good guy, with pretty solid experience. I can see him being a good late-inning reliever at the major league level."
Abreu will join Schafer and right-handed starter Henry Sosa as the third player to wear an Astros uniform this season after being acquired in one of Houston's three major trades (Jeff Keppinger, Hunter Pence and Bourn) prior to the July 31 non-waiver deadline.
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