Chapman was optioned to Triple-A on Tuesday, the Houston Chronicle's Evan Drellich reports. Houston needed to clear a spot for Brett Oberholtzer who was activated from the DL, and Chapman was the guy to leave the bullpen. Samuel Deduno will now be the de facto mop up man for the Astros and Chapman will continue to provide organizational bullpen depth.

Chapman was recalled by the Astros on Thursday. Chapman failed to earn a bullpen spot out of camp, but will provide the Astros with an extra arm as Samuel Deduno moves to the starting rotation Friday. It's unclear how long his stay will be, but his appearances will likely come mostly in low-leverage situations.

Chapman was optioned to Astros' minor league camp on Wednesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. Chapman pitched well in nine spring appearances, permitting three runs on 11 hits and three walks with 11 strikeouts over nine Grapefruit League innings, but Joe Thatcher beat him out to open 2015 as the Astros' second left-hander out of the bullpen behind Tony Sipp. Despite the demotion, Chapman doesn't expect to stay with Triple-A Fresno the whole year, as he compiled a 1.23 ERA in 43 relief appearances at the same level last season.

Chapman will compete with Darin Downs and Joe Thatcher this spring as the Astros' second left-hander out of the bullpen behind Tony Sipp. Chapman lost 20 pounds over the winter and finished 2014 with a 0.68 ERA and 10:1 K:BB over his final 13 relief appearances. However, the 27-year-old is on Houston's 40-man roster with minor league options remaining, whereas Downs and Thatcher are not on the 40-man and could end up pitching elsewhere if the Astros do not add them to the roster prior to Opening Day. Of the three candidates, Thatcher appears to be the favorite to break camp with the big league club, but spring performance will ultimately determine who wins the competition.

Chapman was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday, MLB.com's Brian McTaggert reports. Chapman wasn't the sharpest during previous stints with the Astros earlier this season, allowing seven earned runs over 5.2 innings. His Triple-A numbers are respectable, however, as he owns a 1.23 ERA and a 64:25 K:BB ratio over 44 innings, saving a total of nine games for the RedHawks. Moreover, a 1.43 WHIP suggests he lives a bit dangerously, as he tends to allow at least a baserunner or two each appearance. He'll serve in middle relief for the Astros, providing left-handed bullpen depth.

Astros optioned LHP Kevin Chapman to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Chapman was only up with the big club for one day, allowing two runs over two relief innings. He's dominated at Triple-A this year (0.94 ERA and 37/21 K/BB ratio in 28 2/3 innings) but has struggled in his time in the majors.

Astros recalled LHP Kevin Chapman from Triple-A Oklahoma City. Chapman allowed five runs in 3 2/3 innings in a brief stint with the Astros back in April and owns a 0.94 ERA and 37/21 K/BB ratio in 28 2/3 innings this season in Triple-A. Control isn't his strong suit, but he'll pitch in a left-handed specialist role in his return to the big club.

Astros optioned LHP Kevin Chapman to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Chapman had allowed five earned runs in 3 2/3 innings of relief this season for Houston. The 26-year-old lefty should get another shot later in the summer.

Kevin Chapman surrendered three runs and five hits in his inning of relief versus the Braves on Monday. The bad day comes as Chapman appeared close to locking up a spot in Houston's pen. It could have been even worse had he not picked Jordan Schafer off first base. Prior to today, Chapman had allowed one hit in 4 1/3 scoreless innings this spring. If he finishes strong from here, he will get his bullpen spot and he might even be in the mix for saves if none of the right-handers set themselves apart.

Astros purchased the contract of LHP Kevin Chapman from Triple-A Oklahoma City. Chapman has registered a decent 3.20 ERA and 61/36 K/BB ratio in 50 2/3 innings this season at the Triple-A level. The 25-year-old will serve as a middle reliever.