Astros place OF Dexter Fowler on DL with back injury

The Houston Astros placed center fielder Dexter Fowler on the 15-day disabled list with a right intercostal strain, the team announced Tuesday. The move is

The Houston Astros placed center fielder Dexter Fowler on the 15-day disabled list with a right intercostal strain, the team announced Tuesday. 

The move is retroactive to June 27.  

The team also designated right hander Jerome Williams for assignment and optioned shortstop Jonathan Villar to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Fowler missed his fourth straight game on Monday, a 10-4 loss to the Seattle Mariners that dropped Houston to 36-48 this season, last in the American League West.

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Astros manager Bo Porter said he wanted to be careful with Fowler's injury and told him to take it easy over the next couple of days. 

"I feel all right," Fowler said, via MLB.com. "We'll just evaluate it day by day."

Fowler is batting .270 with six home runs and 24 RBI this season. 

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