Roster Moves

The huge infusion of talent that the Astros have added to the farm system via recent trades means that some of the current rosters are getting strained to the breaking point. There are only so many prolonged DL stints and temporary inactive designations before players will have to be released. We've already seen a couple of these at Lancaster with the recent releases of Brian Streilein and Kirk Clark. I will do my best to keep on top of these moves and let you know when I have confirmed information. With that said, here are your latest moves.

Oklahoma City
LHP Rudy Owens will be has been assigned to Oklahoma City.
According to Sports Reporter (and Jake Buchanan girlfriend) Chelsa Messinger, RHP Jake Buchanan will be has been assigned from Corpus Christi to Oklahoma City.
ADDED: LHP Xavier Cedeno is being called up to Houston.
ADDED: RHP Jose Cisnero is being assigned from Corpus Christi to Oklahoma City.
ADDED: RHP Jarred Cosart is being assigned from Corpus Christi to Oklahoma City.
ADDED: RHP Jonnathan Aristil was released.

Corpus Christi
CF Robbie Grossman was assigned to Corpus Christi.
ADDED: IF Jordan Kreke was assigned from Oklahoma City to Corpus Christi.
ADDED: RHP Paul Clemens is being assigned from Oklahoma City to Corpus Christi.
ADDED: OF Austin Wates was placed on the 7-day DL.
ADDED: RHP Adalberto Flores was assigned from Oklahoma City to Corpus Christi.

Lancaster
RHP Chia-Jen Lo was assigned to Lancaster.
LHP Colton Cain was assigned to Lancaster.
LHP Brad Dydalewicz was placed on the 7-day DL.
DH Rafy Valenzuela was placed on the TI list.
LHP Blair Walters was activated.

Tri-City
RHP Steven Dennison was assigned from the GCL to Tri-City.

Greeneville
C Cristian Moronta was assigned from the GCL to Greeneville.
RHP Michael Feliz was assigned from the GCL to Greeneville.

GCL
RHP Raul Rivera was assigned from Tri-City to the GCL.
C Jon Carnahan was assigned to the GCL.

Happy Birthday - 3/5

LHP Steven Dennison (23)
Dennison was drafted by the Marlins in 2010 and failed to sign so the Astros picked him up as a NDFA in 2011.  The big (6'7" 225 lbs.) lefty made 14 appearances for the GCL Astros in 2011 with an 0-1 record, a 3.93 ERA and a 1.582 WHIP.  He struggled in June, but in July and August he improved to a 2.30 ERA and a 1.404 WHIP.  Dennison is the son of Texans offensive coordinator and former Broncos linebacker Rick Dennison.

1B/3B Mike Hessman (34)
Originally drafted by Atlanta in the 15th round in 1996, Hessman signed a minor league contract as a free agent with the Astros February 2, 2012.  He has played parts of 5 seasons in the major leagues, most recently with the Mets in 2010.  He played in Japan in 2011.

One former Astro with a birthday today ~

CF Brian Hunter (41)
A second draft round pick for the Astros, Brian started his major league career in Houston (1994-1996) and ended it in Houston (2002-2003), but played for five other teams in between.  He had a .278/.314/.377/.691 batting line in 370 games for Houston.  His best season at the plate was 1995 when he hit .302 in 78 games.  Per Baseball-Reference, he was part of this trade to Detroit in December of 1996:

December 10, 1996: Traded by the Houston Astros with Doug Brocail, Todd Jones, Orlando Miller and cash to the Detroit Tigersfor Brad Ausmus, Jose Lima, Trever Miller, C.J. Nitkowski and Daryle Ward.

He led the American League in stolen bases in 1997 and 1999.