Woody Williams will be one of two pitchers on the Astros payroll with a .500 record this year

Sports Illustrated has published that the Astros have officially parted ways with 41-year-old Woody Williams.

Williams was in the second year of a 2-year $12.5 million dollar contract, so the Astros will still be paying the 15-year veteran $6.25 million this year, as well as a $200,000 buyout for next season.

The Astos will be retaining Jose Cruz Jr. and Tomas Perez but have put Williams on unconditional release waivers, thereby cutting the number of mediocre Toronto Blue Jays players from the 1990s on their roster by over 33%

Relievers Brian Moehler and Wesley Wright will also be making the trip to San Diego to be part of the first wasted Roy Oswalt start of the season.

When notified of his release Williams was quoted as saying “Sweet Jesus! I was almost playing for the Astros this season! That was a close call!”