Houston, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - The Houston Astros have declined the 2014 contract option on pitcher Philip Humber.
Humber, who tossed the 21st perfect game in major league history two Aprils ago with the White Sox, struggled mightily with the Astros in 2013.
The Texas native had a solid spring training, compiling a 1.73 earned run average, but went 0-8 with a 7.90 ERA in 17 games (seven starts). The right- hander allowed 38 runs and 57 hits over 35 2/3 innings before being designated for assignment in early May.
He went 2-4 with a 4.68 ERA in 20 games (seven starts) with Triple-A Oklahoma City, then was recalled to the Astros in mid-August, finishing the year with eight appearances in a relief role.
In other roster news, the club added first baseman Jon Singleton to the 40-man roster, claimed pitcher Raul Valdes off waivers from the Philadelphia Phillies and outrighted catcher Cody Clark, infielder Brandon Laird and catcher Matt Pagnozzi from the 40-man roster.
Clark, Laird and Pagnozzi can elect free agency prior to being sent to the minors.
Singleton hit 11 homers and drove in 44 runs, but hit just .230 over 90 minor- league games between Single-A Quad Cities, Double-A Corpus Christi and OKC.
Valdes went 1-1 with a 7.46 ERA in 17 appearances for the Phils, his second with the club.
Clark spent 16 games with the Astros this year, 10 behind the plate. Laird totaled five HRs and 11 RBI in 25 games over two separate stints. Pagnozzi appeared in nine games, six as catcher.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.