Astros released RHP Alberto Arias.

Arias hasn't pitched since 2009 due to shoulder injuries. The 28-year-old couldn't find his health this spring and will likely try to latch on with another organization.

Astros signed RHP Alberto Arias to a minor league contract.

Arias, 28, hasn't pitched since 2009 due to injuries. He'll try to find his health by the spring.

Astros sent RHP Alberto Arias outright to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

He can elect to become a free agent. Arias, who turns 28 on Friday, hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2009 as a result of multiple shoulder surgeries.

Astros transferred RHP Alberto Arias from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list.

He was moved to make room for the newly-claimed Luis Durango on the 40-man roster. Arias underwent successful shoulder surgery earlier this month and there's no current timetable for his return.

Alberto Arias underwent successful shoulder surgery Friday.

He'll now head to the Astros' spring facility in Kissimmee, Florida to begin the rehabilitation process. There's no current timetable for his return.

Alberto Arias (shoulder) had a successful bullpen session Tuesday at extended spring training.

"I guess he looked really good," Astros manager Brad Mills said. "That's a neat thing to see. Everybody is hoping he can come back and throw the ball like he did in '09." Arias missed the entire 2010 season while recovering from shoulder surgery and developed tendinitis during spring training. Mills doesn't want to lock Arias into a timetable for return. "I'm going to have to go through his schedule," Mills said. "I haven't looked that far in advance."

Astros placed RHP Alberto Arias on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 22, recovering from shoulder surgery.

Arias missed the entire 2010 season and didn't make an appearance this spring due to tendinitis in the shoulder. He's recently begun throwing bullpen sessions and Astros are optimistic he could return before the end of April.

Alberto Arias (shoulder) played catch Thursday for the first time since getting a cortisone shot last week.

Arias has already undergone an MRI on his throwing shoulder this spring and it only showed inflammation, but the Astros are stringing him along slowly to be sure that he doesn't have more issues. He is hoping to earn a spot in the club's Opening Day bullpen.

The MRI on Alberto Arias' shoulder revealed only inflammation.

Good news, but there's still obvious concern, as the 27-year-old missed the entire 2010 season following shoulder surgery. Arias will resume throwing once the inflammation subsides. He has a shot to earn a bullpen spot if he's healthy.

Alberto Arias (shoulder) is scheduled for an MRI on Wednesday.

Arias felt discomfort in his shoulder upon arriving to camp and his condition hasn't improved. The 27-year-old missed the entire 2010 season following shoulder surgery last April, so there's obvious concern here.

Alberto Arias was given a cortisone shot in his sore right shoulder Friday by team doctors.

Arias came down with a bit of discomfort in his surgically-repaired shoulder earlier this week, so the Astros had him checked out by team physician Dr. Tom Mehlhoff on Friday morning. The 27-year-old reliever should be able to get back on a mound in a couple of days.

Alberto Arias will have his surgically-repaired right shoulder examined by Astros physician Tom Mehlhoff on Friday morning.

The team cancelled his Thursday bullpen session after he experienced discomfort earlier this week. "He's still a little on the stiff and sore side, and we kind of want the doctor to take a look at him," said Astros manager Brad Mills. The 27-year-old missed all of last season recovering from shoulder surgery.

The Astros have re-signed Alberto Arias to a one-year, $439,500 contract.

The deal overlaps news of discomfort in Arias' right shoulder -- the same shoulder that forced him to miss all of last season. The team likely will be cautious with him in the coming days.

Alberto Arias is feeling discomfort in his surgically-repaired right shoulder.

"In the Dominican I felt very good, and I went to Houston two weeks ago and threw bullpens and felt 100 percent," said the right-handed Arias. "Now I don't feel very good." It might be routine soreness, or it might be a real setback. Either way, Arias is expected to take it easy this week.

Astros transferred Alberto Arias from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list.

The Astros needed to clear space on the 40-man roster in order to make room for Kevin Cash. Arias underwent season-ending surgery on his right shoulder last month.

Alberto Arias underwent extensive surgery Thursday on his right shoulder and is out for the remainder of the 2010 season.

The procedure repaired his rotator cuff and labrum, while also removing calcium deposits in his throwing shoulder. He'll get to rehabbing once the soreness dissipates and will try to be at full strength by the start of spring training 2011. An ugly season in Houston just got uglier.

Alberto Arias will have surgery to repair his injured right rotator cuff and is expected to miss the rest of the 2010 season.

Arias was placed on the disabled list before Opening Day and made little progress at extended spring training. It's yet another blow to the Astros, who have started the season 4-9 and sit at the bottom of the NL Central. Arias, 26, had a 3.35 ERA and 1.49 WHIP in 42 appearances last year.