Tue 1/24/12 3:19 PM

Astros designated INF Angel Sanchez for assignment. The 28-year-old shortstop batted just .240/.305/.285 with one home run and 28 RBI in 110 games last season at the major league level. With the Astros adding shortstop Jed Lowrie over the offseason, Sanchez was unlikely to see nearly as much playing time in 2012.