Astros send four more to Round Rock
Right-handed pitchers Matt Albers and Fernando Nieve, along with infielder Eric Bruntlett, were optioned to Triple-A Round Rock. The Astros also reassigned catcher/infielder Eric Munson to the Express.
The moves allowed Houston to set its Opening Day, 25-man Roster and leave Round Rock with 29 players. A finalized, 24-man roster will be announced by the club before it opens up the season on Thu, April 5 at The Dell Diamond against Iowa (Chicago Cubs).
Albers, 24, posted a 2.50 earned-run average in seven Spring Training games, and was 0-2 with a 6.00 ERA in four games with Houston last season.
Bruntlett, 29, batted .250 with two home runs and nine runs batted in 28 Spring Training games. In 240 Major League games, Bruntlett is batting .241 with nine home runs and 36 RBIs.
Munson, 29, batted .378 with 11 RBIs in Spring Training and is a career .211 hitter in 310 Major League games.
Nieve, 24, went 1-2 with a 3.60 ERA in six games (four starts) for the Astros this spring. He was 3-3 with a 4.20 ERA over 40 games with Houston last year.
Houston's 25-Man Roster
Pitchers (12): RHP Dave Borkowski, RHP Jason Jennings, RHP Brad Lidge, LHP Trever Miller, RHP Brian Moehler, RHP Roy Oswalt, RHP Chad Qualls, LHP Wandy Rodriguez, RHP Chris Sampson, RHP Dan Wheeler, RHP Rick White, and RHP Woody Williams.
Catchers (2): Brad Ausmus, Humberto Quintero.
Infielders (6): Lance Berkman, Craig Biggio, Morgan Ensberg, Adam Everett, Mike Lamb, and Mark Loretta.
Outfielders (5): Chris Burke, Jason Lane, Carlos Lee, Orlando Palmeiro, and Luke Scott.