Astros Minor League Roster Moves/Transactions

Word came out this morning of a couple more Astros minor league player releases:

RHP Erick Gonzalez, drafted in the 15th round in 2012 out of GateWay Community College in Arizona, was 3-5 with a 4.00 ERA and a 1.556 WHIP in 20 bullpen appearances with the Gulf Coast League Astros in 2013.

RHP Alan Abreu, was a non-drafted free agent out of Lander University in Greenwood, South Carolina, and the story of his signing was an interesting one. He only pitched in one game for the Greeneville Astros in 2013.

In addition, it was announced that Jack Armstrong, Jr., the Astros third round pick in 2011 is retiring. He recently attempted to make the switch from the mound to first base after multiple injuries derailed his pitching career.

Also, I reached out to the Astros front office to enquire about 1B/DH Chase Davidson. Although he is still showing as active on MiLB.com, he did retire over the off-season. Davidson was first drafted by the Astros in the third round in 2008, but did not sign. He was re-drafted in the 41st round in 2011. Davidson had played in only a handful of games over the last two seasons, presumably due to injuries.

Finally, in case you missed it from yesterday, Peter Moylan and the Astros have parted company. Moylan tweeted this out yesterday evening ~

The @astros and I are consciously uncoupling. It was a fun spring. All the best to the team this year.
— Peter Moylan (@PeterMoylan) March 26, 2014

I have updated my ongoing off-season transaction list with these moves.

UPDATED with a couple of major league roster moves:

OF Alex Presley was claimed off waivers from the Twins and added to the Astros 40-man roster. In order to make room for him, LHP Raul Valdes was designated for assignment.

Happy Birthday - 12/14

Happy Birthday to ~

RHP Jack Armstrong (24)
Originally from Florida, Armstrong was drafted in the third round in 2011 out of Vanderbilt. He signed late and did not play in 2011 and then had Tommy John surgery prior to the 2012 season. He has yet to make his professional debut.

SS Wilson Amador (17)
Amador signed as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic in July 2013. He is expected to start his professional career in 2014 with the Dominican Summer League team. Here is the story of his signing.

Former Astros celebrating birthdays today ~

2B Craig Biggio (48)
A first round pick by Houston in 1987, Biggio played his entire career for the Astros from 1988 to 2007. He played in 2850 games and had 3060 hits, 668 doubles, 55 triples, 291 home runs, 1175 RBI, 414 stolen bases, and 285 HBP. His lifetime batting line was .281/.363/.433. He won five Silver Slugger awards, four Gold Glove awards and appeared in seven All-Star games. He is in his second year of eligibility for the Hall of Fame. If he has fewer votes this year because of the 10 player vote limit, there may very well be a few torches and pitchforks outside some BBWAA voters' homes.

RHP Rodrigo Rosario (36)
Signed as an amateur free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 1996, Rosario pitched in two starts in 2003 with an ERA of 1.13 and a WHIP of 1.000. He suffered a major injury in his second major league start and never pitched again professionally.

Also, a Happy Birthday to friend of the blog, Lee Street, the one attorney I know who would defend me pro bono (or at least provide me with an alibi) if I ever happened to be accused (unjustly of course) of leaving a flaming bag of dog poo on the doorstep of a certain baseball commissioner.

Happy Birthday - 12/14

Happy Birthday to ~

RHP Jack Armstrong (23)
Originally from Florida, Armstrong was drafted in the third round in 2011 out of Vanderbilt. He signed late and did not play in 2011 and then had Tommy John surgery prior to the 2012 season. I'm looking forward to finally seeing his stuff in 2013.

Former Astros with birthdays today

2B Craig Biggio (47)
A first round pick by Houston in 1987, Biggio played his entire career for the Astros from 1988 to 2007. He played in 2850 games and had 3060 hits, 668 doubles, 55 triples, 291 home runs, 1175 RBI, 414 stolen bases, and 285 HBP. His lifetime batting line was .281/.363/.433.  He won five Silver Slugger awards, four Gold Glove awards and appeared in seven All-Star games.  If he doesn't go in to Cooperstown on the first ballot, there is no justice in the world.

RHP Rodrigo Rosario (35)
Signed as an amateur free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 1996, Rosario pitched in two starts in 2003 with an ERA of 1.13 and a WHIP of 1.000. He suffered a major injury in his second major league start and never pitched again professionally.

Also, a belated Happy Birthday to friend of the blog, Lee Street, the one attorney I know who would defend me pro bono (or at least provide me with an alibi) if I ever happened to be accused (unjustly of course) of leaving a flaming bag of dog poo on the doorstep of a certain baseball commissioner. Sorry I missed it, Lee.

Injury Updates

In addition to the news on Monday that 2011 third round pick RHP Jack Armstrong was recovering from Tommy John surgery two weeks ago (a surgery that no one seemed to have reported previously), Zachary Levine also reported that C Chris Wallace is out with a hip flexor injury and that SS Jio Mier's hamstring injury will require him to miss at least several weeks. Mier was headed to Houston on Monday to be examined.

RHP Jack Armstrong Out With TJ Surgery

Brian McTaggart tucked away a little bombshell in his minor league notebook today.  If the surgery was announced previously, I missed it.

"In other injury news, right-hander Jack Armstrong, whom the Astros selected in the third round out of Vanderbilt in last year's Draft, is still wearing a brace after undergoing Tommy John surgery two weeks ago. Nelson said team doctors are pleased with his progress, but he'll miss all of 2012."

WTH 25-Man Roster

The 23rd player and Final Relief Pitcher selected for the What the Heck 25-Man Roster was RHP Jack Armstrong.  Also receiving votes were Jason Chowning, Jorge de Leon, Mitchell Lambson, Pat Urkfitz, Jason Stoffel, Ebert Rosario, Xavier Cedeno and Josh Zeid.  (For more information on the WTH 25-Man Roster, go here.)

Coming Monday - Let's pick our final Outfielder.

Happy Birthday - 12/14

RHP B. J. Hyatt (23)
Drafted in the 4th round in 2009 out of the University of South Carolina, Hyatt has not pitched since 2009.  He spent the entire 2011 season on the DL and, unfortunately, I was unable to find out any information on his status.

RHP Jack Armstrong (22)
Originally from Florida, Armstrong was drafted in the 3rd round in 2011 out of Vanderbilt.  He signed late and did not play in 2011.  I think we all look forward to seeing his fastball, rumored to be in the mid to high 90's in the coming season.

Former Astros with birthdays today

2B Craig Biggio (46)
Craig played for the Astros from 1988 to 2007.  He played in 2850 games and had 3060 hits, 668 doubles, 55 triples, 291 home runs, 1175 RBI's, 414 stolen bases, and 285 HBP's.  His lifetime batting line was .281/.363/.433/.796.  He won five silver slugger awards, four gold glove awards and appeared in seven All-Star games.  If he doesn't go in to Cooperstown on the first ballot, there is no justice in the world.

RHP Rodrigo Rosario (34)
Pitched in 2 games in 2003 with an ERA of 1.13 and a WHIP of 1.000

Tweet of the Day

@alysonfooter
Astros have signed 1st round pick OF George Springer and 3rd rounder RHP Jack Armstrong. Astros have signed top 13 picks and 35 of 50.