Cecil Cooper wasn’t lying when he claimed that non-roster invitees would get a fair chance to win a roster spot. With 11 days until opening day it seems that non-roster invitee Russ Ortiz is going to win the fifth spot in the Astros’ rotation. This spring Ortiz leads all Astros pitchers in innings pitched and ERA, and with Brandon Backe being placed on the disabled list it seems inevitable that Ortiz will find himself on the Astros roster for opening day.

Russ Ortiz is a 34 year old righty who is attempting to enter the 11th MLB season of his career. Ortiz was never an elite pitcher but annually put up consistently solid numbers, most notably in 2003 where he earned a spot on the NL All-Star roster. However, after such a phenomenal year Ortiz signed in Arizona to a lucrative deal and fell apart. He dealt with rib fractures and calf injuries that persisted. He was cut by Arizona in 2006 after posting an atrocious 8.14 and posted similar numbers in Baltimore and San Francisco. After the 2007 he underwent Tommy John surgery and therefore missed all of 2008.

But now Ortiz is returning to form. He’s not going to compete for a Cy Young Award, as he did in 2003, but Ortiz claimed to be completely healthy and to have returned to form and his outings this Spring have certainly proven such. In his last start Ortiz managed to pitch 5 innings of 1 run ball (which was a result of a Jason Michaels error) despite battling a stomach virus. Cecil Cooper acknowledged that he was impressed with Ortiz, and specifically his ability to cope with his illness and pitch well regardless. It seems as of now that Jose Capellan, who has similarly had an impressive spring, is his only competition, but Ortiz has an out-clause, that is, he can opt for free agency if he does not make the Astros. Capellan, on the other hand, can be sent to Round Rock without any obstacles. Ortiz’ experience also should give him the upper hand. Barring a significant injury or an absolute disaster in his final start(s) Ortiz is likely going to win a rotation spot.

Less newsworthy, Danny Graves, after being removed from competition for a bullpen spot, requested and received his release from his minor league deal and is now a free agent. Graves has not been relevant in 5 years and was a longshot to make the Astros anyway.

By: Adam Herman on Mar 26th, 2009
Tagged as: Spring Training, Transactions

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