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

No Comments »

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

No Comments »