Paul Hagen has the story:

The Phillies, who are openly searching for a lefthanded reliever, have acquired Stephen Randolph from the Houston Astros for a player to be named later.

There are reasons to believe that Randolph, 34, could soon join J.C. Romero as the second lefty in the bullpen. He has a 1.23 earned run average for Triple A Round Rock this season and had allowed just 8 hits while striking out 21 in 14 2/3 innings.

There are also reasons to believe he might not be the answer. He has command issues, as evidenced by 11 walks.

Neither general manager Pat Gillick or assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. could immediately be reached for comment this morning.

Randolph, who has just over 2 years of major league service, appeared in 14 games for the Astros last season. He struck out 22 batters in 13 1/3 innings . . . but also walked 22 and allowed 21 hits, accounting for his 12.15 ERA.

In 109 big-league appearances in his career, he has a 5.52 earned run average.

Expect Randolph to report to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. His K/BB is certainly worrying, but Gillick and Amaro are being proactive in their search for a lefty to help out JC Romero.

And boy, doesn’t Ed Wade love to deal with his old team? About time he does something good for the Phillies.

-Greg Berlin

Looks as if Wesley Wright is the 2008 Astros LOOGY (no official announcement, but he’s the only†bullpen lefty left)†because Mark McLemore (having a TERRIBLE ST – can’t find the strike zone) was removed from the 40 man and sent to AAA and so was Stephen Randolph and his kabillion walks. Thank goodness..
Carlos Hines and his† ZERO ERA were sent down so we could keep Proven Veterans like Paronto and Brocail, doing FAR worse, on the ML roster. Makes sense to me.
Mike DeJean,†10.90 ERA/5 IP†was sent to AAA. He’s†37 and looks a lot older†- think it might could be time to hang it up…
Catchers Alberto Castillo and J.R. House were reassigned to minor league camp – neither was even hitting .200, so no problem there.
but
Nick Gorneault .435/.480/.652/1.132 in 23 AB and Victor Diaz .242/.306/.545/.851 were both sent down; this means that they still have Reggie Abercrombie .222/.317/.278/.595 and freaking Darin Erstad’s Grittiness left. I know that Erstad would make the team even if he went ofer, but unfortunately he is hitting over .300 and slugging over .500 and we ALL know that will last about as long as snow in Houston. This team doesn’t NEED a banjo hitting backup OF/pinch hitter for Veteran Presence – heck, the whole team, except for Bourn, Towles and Pence are ALL veterans.
At least they CAN call up Diaz and Gorneault, but I bet they wouldn’t even if Erstad wasn’t hitting MY weight (I’m half a Mendoza…)
sigh
Felipe Paulino is officially on the DL now, and won’t be allowed to throw for at least one month minimum. IHe’ll have to start back slowly, then work up his strength in AAA, so I would guess that he wouldn’t be available IF he was ready until around the ASB.