Astros' Jarred Cosart on being sent down after near-no-hitter: 'It's motivation'

Astros prospect Jarred Cosart allowed just two hits in eight shutout innings in his MLB debut on Friday. (J.Meric/Getty Images)

Although the move was part of the Astros' plans even before Jarred Cosart nearly threw a no-hitter in his MLB debut, the 23-year-old top pitching prospect said it was "tough" nonetheless to get sent back down to Triple-A Oklahoma City after the game.

The move allows Cosart to start on regular rest during the major-league All-Star break, then return when Houston next needs a No. 5 starter on July 23.

The right-hander posted a 3.29 ERA in 93 Triple-A innings before being called up for his Friday night debut. He was acquired from the Phillies in the 2010 trade for Hunter Pence, moving to Double-A in 2011 before being called up to Oklahoma City near the end of last season.

From The Houston Chronicle's Brian T. Smith:

But he sounded as determined to become a full-time Astro as he did before spring training, when the League City native said he was willing to carry teammates’ water just to be a part of the 25-man roster. “So, you know it’s kind of tough after an outing like that. But it is what it is. I know I’m not a perfected pitcher. There’s a lot of things that I can work on that even may be really good — I want to be the best. So I’ll go down there and do whatever I’ve got to do and I want to be back here soon. And hopefully they can get on a run and win some games and when I come back up here it’s a great atmosphere and we just go from there.”

“Motivation. I mean, 100 percent,” Cosart said. “I don’t think that’s a fact of them not believing that I can pitch here. They told me right now, you’re hopefully going to pitch here for a long time. I want to be a Houston Astro for a long time.