Happy Birthday - 7/28

No future Astros, only former Astros with birthdays today ~

RHP Henry Sosa (29)
Sosa came to Houston from San Francisco as a part of a July 2011 trade for Jeff Keppinger. In 10 starts for Houston in 2011, he was 3-5 with a 5.23 ERA and a 1.444 WHIP. Sosa appeared in several games for the Dodgers AAA club earlier this season.

OF Dick Simpson (71)
Simpson came to Houston from the Cardinals in June of 1968 and was gone to the Yankees six months later. In between, he played in 59 games for Houston, hitting .186/.282/.299.

RHP Chad Paronto (39)
Originally drafted by Baltimore in the 8th round in 1996, Paronto came to Houston as a free agent in December of 2007. In 12 games for Houston in 2008 and 2009, Paronto was 0-1 with a 7.41 ERA and a 1.706 WHIP.

Happy Birthday - 7/28

No future Astros, only former Astros with birthdays today ~

RHP Henry Sosa (28)
Sosa came to Houston from San Francisco as a part of a July 2011 trade for Jeff Keppinger. In 10 starts for Houston in 2011, he was 3-5 with a 5.23 ERA and a 1.444 WHIP. He started the 2012 season playing for the AAA Oklahoma City team before signing with the Kia Tigers in Korea.

OF Dick Simpson (70)
Simpson came to Houston from the Cardinals in June of 1968 and was gone to the Yankees six months later. In between, he played in 59 games for Houston, hitting .186/.282/.299.

RHP Chad Paronto (38)
Originally drafted by Baltimore in the 8th round in 1996, Paronto came to Houston as a free agent in December of 2007. In 12 games for Houston in 2008 and 2009, Paronto was 0-1 with a 7.41 ERA and a 1.706 WHIP.

Happy Birthday - 7/28

No future Astros, only former Astros with birthdays today ~

RHP Henry Sosa (27)
Sosa came to Houston from San Francisco as a part of a July 2011 trade for Jeff Keppinger. In 10 starts for Houston in 2011, he was 3-5 with a 5.23 ERA and a 1.444 WHIP. He started the 2012 season playing for the AAA Oklahoma City team, but signed with the Kia Tigers in Korea in May.

OF Dick Simpson (69)
Simpson came to Houston from the Cardinals in June of 1968 and was gone to the Yankees six months later. In between, he played in 59 games for Houston, hitting .186/.282/.299.

RHP Chad Paronto (37)
Originally drafted by Baltimore in the 8th round in 1996, Paronto came to Houston as a free agent in December of 2007. In 12 games for Houston in 2008 and 2009, Paronto was 0-1 with a 7.41 ERA and a 1.706 WHIP.

Roster Moves, Etc.

According to this piece by Zachary Levine, RHP Henry Sosa has had his rights sold to Kia of the Korean baseball organization. He had been on the temporary inactive list since May 9th.

I also neglected to post a follow up on LHP Kyle Hallock who had surgery to remove loose bodies from his left elbow. He is expected to be out 6-8 weeks before starting his rehab assignment.

Roster Moves - 4/4

The Astros made their final cuts, and Jeff Luhnow once more managed to surprise me.  I didn't expect for 13 pitchers to make the opening day roster, but that is precisely what is happening with the news that both Fernando Abad and Wesley Wright made the cut. As I had suspected, the Astros wanted to make sure that Henry Sosa cleared waivers before sending him to Oklahoma City.

In addition, it was announced that the Astros purchased Travis Buck's contract and he will be making the roster. Also, Alyson Footer reported that Justin Ruggiano will be assigned to Oklahoma City, but I have not seen that move made official yet.  Since the Astros are only carrying four outfielders, Matt Downs will likely be pressed into service for an occasional outfield appearance.

Here is the final roster.  The only likely change between now and the opener is that Brian Bixler may make the team if Jed Lowrie needs to be placed on the DL.