Sun 6/26/11 11:27 AM

J.R. Towles is unavailable to catch while the cut on his chin heals. The cut rubs up against his catcher's mask and the Astros don't want to risk it getting worse. Towles will be available only to pinch-hit, which he did Saturday, likely for the next few days. The Astros have called up Brian Esposito to serve as the backup to Carlos Corporan.