Houston Astros sign former Chicago Cubs closer Jose Veras

Returning to a team he pitched for in the first half of the 2013 campaign, reliever Jose Veras signed a minor-league deal with the Houston Astros earlier this week after being released by the Chicago Cubs mid-season following a dreadful start to the season – his first in Chicago.

Veras, 33, pitched to the tune of an 8.10 ERA in 12 appearances with the Cubs. His control was a major issue, and after losing the closer’s job and battling injuries, he was designated for assignment by the organization. Veras told MLB.com he was happy to return to Houston.

"“I’m real happy to come back to the place you have good people, good organization and good teammates,” Veras told MLB.com from his home in Miami. “I would have liked to have stayed all my life there, but sometimes it’s business. The bottom line is it’s best off for a player to be in a good place you can feel comfortable with everything.”"

The Cubs signed Veras to provide stability to the back end of a bullpen that has seen its fair share of ups-and-downs over the course of the past three seasons, but after signing the one-year, $4 million deal, he failed to deliver.

The veteran will report to the Astros’ Triple-A affiliate.