Wed 7/6/11 10:14 PM

Astros optioned C J.R. Towles to Triple-A Oklahoma City. With Jason Castro (knee) likely out for the season and Humberto Quintero (ankle) missing well over a month, Towles had plenty of chances to impress, but he batted just .180/.264/.297 over 128 at-bats, numbers that are right along with his career digits. The Astros have opted to keep Carlos Corporan as Quintero's backup.