HOUSTON, TX - The Houston Astros announced today that the club has claimed infielder Jose Castillo on outright waivers from the San Francisco Giants.  The announcement was made by General Manager Ed Wade.

Castillo is expected to report to the Astros on Friday, and a corresponding move to make room on the 25-man roster will be made before he reports.  He was designated for assignment by San Francisco on August 13

The 27-year-old Castillo has hit .244 (96x394) with six home runs, 35 runs batted in, and a career-high 28 doubles for the Giants in 2008.  He has played in 577 career games in five Major League seasons with Pittsburgh (2004-07) and San Francisco (2008) and has hit .253 (478x1,886) with 39 home runs and 216 runs batted in, along with 102 doubles.

Castillo set career highs in home runs (14), RBI (65), hits (131) and games played (148) during the 2006 season with the Pirates.