Happy Birthday - 1/20

Happy Birthday to ~

LHP Ben Smith (22)
Smith was drafted by Houston in the 17th round in 2014. He underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2014 and has not started his professional career yet.

One two-time former Astro celebrates the day as well ~

RHP Matt Albers (32)
A draft-and-follow pick in the 23rd round by the Astros in 2001, Albers pitched in 35 games (20 starts) for Houston in 2006 and 2007 with a 4-13 record, a 5.87 ERA and a 1.599 WHIP before being traded to Baltimore in December 2007 as a part of the Miguel Tejada trade. After spending time with Baltimore and Boston, he was traded to the Diamondbacks in July 2012. The Diamondbacks subsequently traded him to Cleveland in this dizzying transaction (per Baseball-Reference):

December 11, 2012: Traded as part of a 3-team trade by the Arizona Diamondbacks with Trevor Bauer and Bryan Shaw to the Cleveland Indians. The Cincinnati Reds sent Didi Gregorius to the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Cincinnati Reds sent Drew Stubbsto the Cleveland Indians. The Cleveland Indians sent Lars Anderson and Tony Sipp to the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Cleveland Indians sent Shin-Soo Choo, Jason Donald and cash to the Cincinnati Reds.

Matt came full circle back to Houston, signing as a free agent in December 2013. In eight games for the Astros in April 2014, he had a 0.90 ERA and a 1.300 WHIP and then landed on the DL for the remainder of the season. The Astros did not exercise his option at the end of the season.