With the first game of the season in less than 48 hours, the Houston Astros made their final cuts and announced the 25-man roster that will be with Houston for opening day. Although the selections are hardly surprising now, there are a few names on the roster that were not under the radar when Spring Training commenced.

Jason Smith, a player who essentially has been a career minor leaguer, has won the backup short stop job. Entering camp prospects Tommy Manzella, Drew Sutton, and Edwin Maysonet were the main targets. For Manzella and Sutton, Cooper was impressed but felt they needed more time in the minor leagues before getting their chance with the major league club, which Cooper claimed could be this season. Maysonet was the final competition for the job for Smith, but Smith outhit Edwin and showed much more versatility; Maysonet is a lot less experienced at second base and third base than Smith is. Smith, who has been productive in most of his games this spring, admitted to being nervous today, going hitless in his three at-bats as well as making an uncharacteristic error. Nonetheless, he is relieved to have officially made the team.

Russ Ortiz was the other player to lock up a spot that he very much earned. Although unlikely to make it out of camp, the fall of Brandon Backe as well as his consistency in each of his outings locked up the final rotation spot for Russ. The former All-Star will look to keep that spot for the rest of the year. While Russ has done nothing but impress thus far he has to prove he can last a full season. Injuries have compromised him in the past, and between Brandon Backe and Chris Sampson trying to get back into the rotation as well as minor leaguers Bud Norris, Jose Capellan, and Clay Hensley trying to force their way back up Ortiz will not be warranted the leeway a Wandy Rodriguez will.

The final cuts today were Jose Capellan, Reggie Abercrombie, and Lou Santangelo. Capellan was the loser of the battle for the final rotation spot but claims he “feels good” about his situation and plans on playing his way back up to the major league club. Reggie Abercrombie’s move to AAA is not shocking either. The resigning of Darin Erstad as well as the acquisition of Jason Michaels left no room for Abercrombie, who hit well this spring. If and when an outfielder goes down Reggie will most likely be the one called up. The cut of Santangelo is not shocking, but the fact he even made it this far has been a pleasant surprise. Of all the names thrown out there for the catching battle, Santangelo’s was ignored for the most part. He was not viewed as a viable option by anyone entering camp, but he lasted until the final day. Santangelo admitted he was “dissapointed” but not shocked by any means. Santangelo has put himself right into the mix. It will be interesting to see if Santangelo has jumped over Towles and Palmisano as the team’s 3rd catcher.

By: Adam Herman on Apr 4th, 2009
Tagged as: Spring Training, Transactions

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