Jose Veras took his fourth loss after giving up a run in a tie game against the Rockies on Tuesday.

Veras gave up two hits in an inning for the first time since way back on April 13. In fact, he had allowed just two hits total in his last 13 1/3 innings of work. Even though the loss dropped Veras to 0-4, he's still pretty secure in his closer's role.

Jose Veras blew his third save of the season Friday and took the loss against the Athletics.

Veras entered the ninth with a 5-3 cushion, but he walked two batters before surrendering a go-ahead three-run homer to Chris Young. The 32-year-old right-hander has quietly been pretty solid of late, notching six saves over a span of seven scoreless appearances. The Astros aren't going to win many games this year, but his job is safe for now.

Jose Veras picked up his eighth save of the season as the Astros beat the Royals on Wednesday.

After a rough start to the year, Veras has settled into Houston's ninth-inning role nicely, converting his last six save opportunities and turning in seven consecutive scoreless outings. He now has a 3.32 ERA and 1.00 WHIP through 19 innings.

Jose Veras struck out two in a perfect ninth Monday to earn his seventh save.

Veras was awful this spring and in the first two weeks of the season, but he has seven saves in eight opportunities since April 19. That's more saves than full-time closers Chris Perez, Bobby Parnell and Steve Cishek have this season.

Jose Veras picked up his fourth save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning against the Angels on Wednesday.

It was Veras' second save in as many games for the Astros after blowing an opportunity in his previous outing. Inconsistency and early-season struggles have resulted in the low save total, but it seems like he's got a pretty firm grip on the job in Houston. What few save chances the Astros do have should continue to go to Veras for the foreseeable future.

Jose Veras served up a two-run homer to Alex Avila on Friday, blowing a save and taking a loss against the Tigers.

Veras hasn't been very impressive in the closer's role for the Astros, converting just two of his four save chances on the season. He now owns an 0-2 record, 5.25 ERA and 1.33 WHIP on the season. If he continues to struggle, Wesley Wright could potentially earn a look in the ninth inning.

Jose Veras pitched a perfect ninth inning for his second save as the Astros beat the Mariners on Tuesday.

Veras has only had three save opportunities this year and has now cashed in on two of the three. On Tuesday, Veras struck out two in his inning of work. The Astros won't have many chances and Veras isn't a lock to nail down all of them, but it looks like he'll be called on to save what few close leads Bo Porter's team does have.

Jose Veras finally notched his first save of the 2013 season, working a scoreless inning against the Indians on Friday to preserve a 3-2 lead.

It was a nice bounce-back effort from the 32-year-old right-hander who blew his first save chance against the Angels on Sunday. He allowed a one-out infield single to Drew Stubbs, but no further harm was done. While he isn't completely secure in his role, and will have limited chances pitching for a poor Astros team, Veras still has the chance to earn saves, which makes him coveted in most fantasy formats.

Jose Veras worked a scoreless inning against the Cubs on Friday, walking one and striking out two in the process.

Veras, who is expected to begin the season as the Astros' primary option in the ninth inning, has posted a 4.70 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 12/3 K/BB ratio over 7 2/3 innings on the spring. For those who aren't interested in paying for saves on draft day, Veras is typically one of the final closers off the board, and could deliver a tidy profit where he's being selected.

Jose Veras worked a scoreless inning Sunday and was credited with a save against the Marlins.

Veras worked the fifth, but the game was called due to rain afterwards. He gave up two hits today, so it wasn't a flawless outing. Still, it's an improvement for him as he attempts to secure the Astros' closer's role.

Jose Veras was pulled after allowing two runs in two-thirds of an inning Friday against the Cardinals.

Veras chose to pitch for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic even as he was trying to nail down closing duties for the Astros. He hasn't impressed in his Grapefruit appearances, giving up four runs in 3 2/3 innings, and he also gave up two runs in 1 2/3 innings in the WBC. A closer-by-committee situation could be a possibility for the Astros, with Veras, Rhiner Cruz, Xavier Cedeno and maybe even Chia-Jen Lo in the mix.

Jose Veras gave up a two-run homer to Jordany Valdespin in his inning versus the Mets on Sunday.

Not realizing at the time that better relievers would come just as cheap later in the winter, the Astros plucked Veras from the crowd of mediocrity in December, giving him $2 million and a chance at a closer's role. Veras, though, needs a good spring to nail down the role. If he struggles, perhaps the Astros will come up with another $2 million to give to Francisco Rodriguez or Jose Valverde.

Astros manager Bo Porter said Tuesday that Jose Veras is the "front-runner" to be the team's closer.

"If you're going to take a chance on someone to be a first-time closer, that's the type of guy you want," Porter said. "We do have other pitchers that will get an opportunity to pitch late in the game, whether it's [Rhiner] Cruz, who had a really good winter league, or [Hector] Ambriz. There are others who will get a look, but Veras has the experience right now and is the front-runner." Veras has major control issues, but he gets plenty of swings and misses and is the best bet of lackluster group in the Houston bullpen. That said, his leash would be short and he's on a team virtually assured of another 100-loss season, so his prospects in fantasy terms aren't great.

Jose Veras' one-year, $2 million contract with the Astros includes $500,000 in incentives based on games finished.

Veras only has five saves over seven seasons in the majors, but the rebuilding Astros intend to give him a shot at the closer job in 2013. His contract includes a $3.25 million club option or $150,000 buyout for 2014, but the option can increase to between $4 million and $5.5 million based on games finished. He could also earn an additional $500,000 with incentives.

Astros signed RHP Jose Veras to a one-year, $2 million contract.

The deal also includes a $3.5 million club option for 2014. Veras has put up a 4.01 ERA and 1.36 WHIP over seven seasons, but he's also struck out well over a batter per inning the last three years. He might be the best option at closer for the rebuilding Astros.

ESPN.com's Enrique Rojas reports that the Astros have signed Jose Veras to a one-year, $2 million contract.

The deal includes a $3.5 million option for 2014. Veras elected free agency last month after the Brewers' outrighted him off their 40-man roster, and posted a 3.63 ERA and 79 strikeouts over 67 innings this past season. He should continue to be used as a middle reliever with the Astros.

Jose Veras has elected to become a free agent.

Veras was outrighted off the Brewers' 40-man roster on Wednesday and refused an assignment to Triple-A Nashville. The 32-year-old right-hander posted a 3.63 ERA and 79 strikeouts over 67 innings this season, so he shouldn't have a problem finding a new home.

Brewers sent RHP Jose Veras outright to Triple-A Nashville.

Veras is expected to decline the assignment and elect free agency, assuming he clears waivers. The right-hander posted a 3.63 ERA with 79 strikeouts over 67 innings this season for the Brew Crew. He should have no trouble landing a middle relief gig.

Jose Veras has elected free agency.

He'll seek employment elsewhere after refusing an outright assignment. Veras put up a 3.63 ERA while striking out 79 over 67 innings for the Brewers this season. He shouldn't have trouble finding a middle relief job somewhere.

Jose Veras lost his arbitration hearing against the Brewers and was awarded a $2 million salary for 2012.

Veras requested a $2.38 million salary when arbitration figures were exchanged last month and stated his case in a hearing on Monday, but the three-person panel of arbitrators ultimately ruled in the team's favor. The 31-year-old right-hander was acquired by the Brewers in December for Casey McGehee after posting a solid 3.80 ERA and 79/34 K/BB ratio over 71 innings in Pittsburgh last season.