Astros Roster Moves

UPDATE: According to this tweet from J.J. Cooper of Baseball America, the Astros protected Domingo Santana, Asher Wojciechowski and Luis Cruz from the Rule 5 Draft by adding them to the 40-man roster:

Astros added OF Domingo Santana, RHP Asher Wojchiechowski, LHP Luis Cruz to their 40-man roster.
— JJ Cooper (@jjcoop36) November 21, 2013

Most surprising exclusions are RHP Jake Buchanan and C Carlos Perez. I had thought either Perez or fellow C Rene Garcia would be protected to preserve catching depth, particularly after last season's catching woes with so many injuries.

Several people have indicated some surprise regarding the inclusion of LHP Luis Cruz. I'm not terribly surprised after talking with Manager Rodney Linares, Pitching Coach Don Alexander and Morgan Ensberg about Cruz in May in Lancaster. They were all quite effusive in their praise of him. And don't forget what Kevin Goldstein had to say about Cruz in this recent MiLB.com article, "I adore him."

As of mid-afternoon, the Astros have made the following moves in advance of adding players who will need to be protected from next month's Rule 5 Draft:

RHP John Ely released
IF Jake Elmore claimed off waivers by the White Sox
OF J.D. Martinez removed from the 40-man roster and outrighted to Oklahoma City
IF Ryan Jackson claimed off waivers from St. Louis

There are currently 34 players on the 40-man roster. I will update this post as additional moves are made, as well as this ongoing list of all off-season Astros transactions.

As a reminder, this is what I wrote about those players who may be taken in the Rule 5 Draft if they are not protected.