Astros claim OF Martinez off waivers from Mets

Outfielder Fernando Martinez has been claimed by the Houston Astros off waivers from the New York Mets.

Martinez hit .227 (5 for 22) for the Mets last season with one home run - at Houston against Bud Morris on May 13.

The 23-year-old Martinez spent most of the year at Triple-A Buffalo and hit .260 with eight homers and 30 RBIs. He has a .183 career big league average with two homers and 12 RBIs in 131 at-bats over parts of three seasons.

To make room on the 40-man roster Wednesday, the Astros designated right-hander Henry Villar for assignment. He was a combined 4-5 with a 5.45 ERA last year at Triple-A Oklahoma City and Double-A Corpus Christi.