In an article on astros.com Alyson Footer discusses Bud Norris’ and J.R. Towles’ demotion to minor league camp.  However, much of the article is spent in praise of Norris:

“Norris didn’t pitch his way onto the team this spring, but he accomplished something just as important — he flew up the depth chart, and as soon as a need arises on the Major League level, the 24-year-old right-hander is going to be the first considered.”

Sounds like things are going well for Air-Bud.

On the drive to the town where I grew up today (liberty, tx) I went through Houston and caught an interview on 1560 with Alyson Footer. (apparently her nickname is scrunci?)  In her interview she discussed the demotion of the two prospects and went further in to detail on Towles. 

She basically said that Towles did not help himself at all with his spring performance and with Pudge on the club this year and Castro on his way J.R. may have missed his window of opportunity. 

Tough news for J.R. especially since it isn’t his fault the club handled him so poorly last season.