Happy Birthday - 9/23

Happy Birthday to ~

C Brett Clements (24)
A graduate of Nova Southeastern, Clements signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2013. He appeared in 15 games with the Greeneville Astros, hitting .116/.220/.140.

OF Ruben Sosa (24)
This switch-hitter from the Dominican Republic was drafted in the 23rd round in 2011 out of Oklahoma City University. Sosa split his season between Lancaster (40 games), Corpus Christi (50 games) and Oklahoma City (26 games) and hit a combined .257/.340/.402 with 18 doubles, 10 triples, five home runs, 47 RBI and 39 stolen bases.

Three former Astros celebrate the day as well ~

RHP Oscar Zamora (70)
Zamora signed with Houston as a free agent prior to the 1978 season and pitched in 10 games with a 7.20 ERA and a 1.800 WHIP.

C Terry McGriff (51)
Originally drafted by the Reds in the eighth round in 1981, McGriff came to Houston in an August 1990 trade and played in only four games for the Astros in which he went hitless.

RHP Pete Harnisch (48)
A first round pick by Baltimore in 1987, Harnisch came to Houston as part of the Glenn Davis trade with the Orioles (along with Steve Finley and Curt Schilling) in January of 1991. In 117 starts from 1991 through 1994, he was 45-33 with ten complete games, six shut-outs, a 3.41 ERA and a 1.205 WHIP. Harnisch was named to the All-Star team for Houston in 1991. His best season was 1993 when he compiled a 16-9 record and threw two one-hitters.

Happy Birthday - 9/23

Happy Birthday to ~

C Brett Clements (23)
A graduate of Nova Southeastern, Clements signed as a non-drafted free agent this June and started his career with the GCL Astros. In 19 games, he hit .222/.340/.244. A switch-hitter, he fared much better against lefties, hitting .333/.444/.333.

2B/LF Ruben Sosa (23)
This switch-hitter from the Dominican Republic was drafted in the 23rd round in 2011 out of Oklahoma City University. Sosa split his season between Quad Cities and Oklahoma City, with the bulk of his time spent at the latter. In 62 games combined, he hit .280/.360/.366. On July 24th, he hit his first professional home run, an inside-the-parker.

Three former Astros with birthdays today ~

RHP Oscar Zamora (69)
Zamora signed with Houston as a free agent prior to the 1978 season and pitched in 10 games with a 7.20 ERA and a 1.800 WHIP.

C Terry McGriff (50)
Originally drafted by the Reds in the eighth round in 1981, McGriff came to Houston in an August 1990 trade and played in only four games for the Astros in which he went hitless.

RHP Pete Harnisch (47)
A first round pick by Baltimore in 1987, Harnisch came to Houston as part of the Glenn Davis trade with the Orioles (along with Steve Finley and Curt Schilling) in January of 1991. In 117 starts from 1991 through 1994, he was 45-33 with ten complete games, six shut-outs, a 3.41 ERA and a 1.205 WHIP. Harnisch was named to the All-Star team for Houston in 1991. His best season was 1993 when he compiled a 16-9 record and threw two one-hitters.

Astros Minor League Roster Moves

I've gotten behind again on reporting the latest roster moves. Here's what I have for the last few days.

Oklahoma City
OF Eric Thames claimed off waivers from the Orioles and assigned to Oklahoma City
RHP Hector Ambriz designated for assignment

Corpus Christi
C Carlos Corporan to Corpus Christi for rehab assignment
C Ryan McCurdy activated from the DL
C Brett Clements placed on the 7-day DL

Lnacaster
RHP Vincent Velasquez placed on the 7-day DL
OF Chris Epps assigned from Oklahoma City to Lancaster
Also of note, OF Tanner Mathis was sent from Greeneville to Lancaster but has not officially been activated according to MiLB.

Tri-City
RHP Edgar Gonzalez sent to Tri-City for rehab assignment
RHP Tanner Bushue retired (see this Astros County post for more info)