Happy Birthday - 5/24

No future Astros with birthdays today, but three former Astros celebrate the day ~

RHP Hector Ambriz (30)
Originally drafted by the Diamondbacks in the fifth round in 2006, Ambriz signed with Houston as a free agent in June 2012. In 61 appearances for the Astros, he had a 5.17 ERA and a 1.599 WHIP. He signed with the Padres as a free agent in March 2014.

RHP Henry Villar (27)
Signed as a non-drafted free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2005, Villar spent seven seasons in the Astros minor league system from 2006 through 2012, compiling a 3.74 ERA and a 1.220 WHIP in 185 appearances (56 starts).  In 2010, he made eight appearances for the big club with a 4.50 ERA and a 1.333 WHIP.

2B Mike Richardt (56)
A first round draft pick by the Rangers in 1978, Richardt came to Houston in a trade in 1984. Richardt only had 15 plate appearances in 16 games for Houston in 1984 and hit .267/.267/.333.

Happy Birthday - 5/24

Happy Birthday to ~

RHP Hector Ambriz (29)
Originally drafted by the Diamondbacks in the fifth round in 2006, Ambriz signed with Houston as a free agent in June 2012. In 41 appearances since then, he has a 4.83 ERA and a 1.415 WHIP.

Two former Astros with birthdays today ~

RHP Henry Villar (26)
Signed as a non-drafted free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2005, Villar spent seven seasons in the Astros minor league system from 2006 through 2012, compiling a 3.74 ERA and a 1.220 WHIP in 185 appearances (56 starts).  In 2010, he made eight appearances for the big club with a 4.50 ERA and a 1.333 WHIP.

2B Mike Richardt (55)
A first round draft pick by the Rangers in 1978, Richardt came to Houston in a trade in 1984. Richardt only had 15 plate appearances in 16 games for Houston in 1984 and hit .267/.267/.333.

Roster Moves

1B Nate Freiman was claimed off waivers by Oakland on Saturday, a move that wasn't totally unexpected as the Astros didn't have the luxury of keeping Freiman on the roster in addition to 1B Carlos Pena and 1B Brett Wallace (not to mention Chris Carter whose natural position is first base). It was widely reported that GM Jeff Luhnow tried to work a deal to keep Freiman and put him on a minor league contract, but the Rule 5 draft pick was instead claimed off waivers.

Nate Freiman

Photo by Jayne Hansen

The Astros are also going to have to clear a couple (or more) 40-man roster spots if they intend to break camp with Rick Ankiel and Erik Bedard (or even possibly Brandon Laird) since none of those players are currently on the 40-man. So, color me surprised when the 40-man vacancy was immediately gobbled up by the imminent signing of SS Ronny Cedeno who was recently released by the Cardinals. The move does not bode well for the future of Tyler Greene who has struggled during Spring Training.

In addition, according to Baseball America, the Astros signed OF Raoul Torrez to a minor league contract. Torrez was recently released by the Diamondbacks organization.

Finally, although I haven't seen any official confirmation of this, I have been told by a source that Erick Abreu and Adalberto Flores have signed to play in Mexico and that Henry Villar is out of baseball. Abreu and Villar pitched out of the bullpen for Corpus Christi last season and Flores split his time between Corpus Christi and Oklahoma City. Again, I have no independent confirmation of this.

I have also updated the Off-Season Transaction List, which I have neglected for the last couple of weeks.

Roster Moves

Corpus Christi
RHP Henry Villar was placed on the 7-day DL.
RHP Erick Abreu was activated from the 7-day DL.
According to Greg Rajan of the Corpus Christi Caller Times, C Rene Garcia will be assigned to the GCL for a rehab assignment and IF Brandon Wikoff is being shut down for the remainder of the season due to a wrist injury.

Lexington
OF/C Mike Kvasnicka was placed on the 7-day DL.
OF Emilio King was assigned from Tri-City to Lexington.

Greeneville
RHP Brad Propst was assigned from Tri-City to Greeneville.

Happy Birthday - 5/24

RHP Henry Villar (25)
Signed as a non-drafted free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2005, Villar has had mixed results at Corpus Christi so far this season. In seven games (two starts), he is 2-2 with a 7.50 ERA and a 1.444 WHIP, but he has fared considerably better as a reliever - 2-0 with a 4.50 ERA and a 1.083 WHIP.  In 2010, he made eight appearances for the big club with a 4.50 ERA and a 1.333 WHIP.

One former Astro with a birthday today ~

2B Mike Richardt (54)
A first round draft pick by the Rangers in 1978, Richardt came to Houston in a trade in 1984. Richardt only had 15 plate appearances in 16 games for Houston in 1984 and hit .267/.267/.333.

Roster Moves - 5/19

Corpus Christi
LHP Wes Musick was placed on the temporary inactive list.
RHP Henry Villar was activated from the DL.

Roster Moves - 5/1

The following moves have been confirmed by the Astros.

LEX
LHP Kyle Hallock is being sent to extended spring training.
RHP Tanner Bushue is being sent to extended spring training.
RF Emilio King is being sent to extended spring training.

None of these moves are unexpected based on the rough starts they've had. I sincerely hope that each of these players can make the necessary adjustments quickly and get back to fulfilling their potential.  I have been told that corresponding moves to Lexington will be made official on Wednesday.

CC
LHP Brett Oberholtzer will be assigned from OKC to CC.
RHP Henry Villar will be put on the 7-day DL retroactive to 4/29.