Tranzactionz

Alex Freedman chimes in with some old OKC RedHawks news:

Mike Hessman: signed with Reds
J.B. Shuck: signed with Angels
Brad Snyder: signed with Arizona
Brian Bixler: signed with Mets

Three elect free agency

According to Baseball America, Brian Bixler, Angel Sanchez, and Travis Buck - Astros sometimes-minor-leaguers - have elected free agency:

Bixler got 96 plate appearances in 36 games, "hitting" .193/.253/.330 with 2HR, 36K:7BB. At OKC, he hit .269/.346/.361.

Sanchez went from being the Astros' Opening Day shortstop in 2011 to a minor-league free agent at the end of 2012. In 102 games for OKC in 2012, he hit .320/.390/.407, with 25K:40BB - the best minor-league season of his career.

In 33 games (81 PAs) for Houston in 2012, Buck hit .216/.284/.311, with six extra-base hits. In 22 games for OKC this season, he hit .359/.414/.469.

Astros acquire Tyler Greene from Cardinals

The Astros acquired Tyler Greene from the Cardinals this morning for a PTBNL and/or cash. In response, the Astros DFA'ed Brian Bixler off of the 40-man roster, and there has not been a corresponding 25-man roster move as of yet.

The 28-year old - he'll be 29 next week - Greene is a utility man, primarily playing 2B, SS, and 3B, and was the Cardinals' 1st Round pick (30th overall) in the 2005 draft.

In 227 major-league games, Greene has hit .218/.295/.329, with 25 steals (and two caught stealin's). In 77 games (197 PAs), Greene has hit .218/.272/.358 with 56K:13BB.

He won't be arbitration-eligible until 2014, and won't be a free-agent (represented by Scott Boras) until 2017.

In four seasons at Triple-A (1204 PAs), Greene has hit .291/.373/.477, with 38 homers and 68 steals. Last season for Triple-A Memphis, Greene hit .323/.422/.579 with 14 homers, 75K:37BB.

Brett Wallace freed!

The Brett Wallace Liberation Front can finally lay their hashtags to rest. Following today's game and the Chris Johnson trade, Brett Wallace has been recalled from Oklahoma City. To make room on the active roster (and to give OKC a replacement shortstop), Brian Bixler has been sent down. Wallace will play first and third base in Houston, as well as backup short.

Also, both players acquired in the Johnson deal - Bobby Borchering and Marc Krauss - have been sent to AA Corpus Christi. Borchering will be moved back to 3B.

Corresponding Move: Brian Bixler

Brian Bixler has been called up with the news of Marwin Gonzalez heading to the DL with his bruised heel, which sounds quite bad:

"The doctors told us that he would definitely be out a minimum of 10 days. Hopefully, he's able to at least play catch to keep his arm stronger, but it's going to be tough to have him ready to play."

-

In other Meat Wagon news, Chris Johnson had to leave the game after getting a stomach bug in the 6th inning. Mills:
"He was tossing his cookies, you might say."

PreStros Farm Report: May 28

PreStros: May 28

Oklahoma City (28-23) 

Was yesterday Memorial Day, or Groundhog Day? Facing a lineup that included Matt Kemp and Juan Rivera, both on rehab assignments, the RedHawks couldn’t keep up offensively in the 11-9 loss to Albuquerque (LAD).

Aneury Rodriguez went just 3 innings and gave up 7 R on 7 H and 5 BB with 3 K. Sergio Perez threw the next 3 innings, allowing 1 R on 5 H with 3 K. Adalberto Flores finished out the last 2 innings and gave up 3 R on 1 H and 2 BB with 3 K.

3B-Scott Moore was 2x5 with 1 R. 2B/SS-Brian Bixler went 3x5 with 1 R and 1 RBI. SS-Angel Sanchez was 1x2 with 1 BB and 1 HR. CF-Brandon Barnes went 2x5 with 2 R and 1 SB.

Man of the Match: Brian Bixler

*Notes: Pending an assumed demotion of Jordan Lyles back to OKC and the addition of recent minor league free agents Armando Galarraga and Brian Bass, OKC will need to remove someone from their roster in the next few days.

Corpus Christi (23-27) 

Jake Buchanan pitched well, but not as well as his counterpart on the mound, as the Hooks lost 3-2 against Springfield (STL).

Buchanan threw 7 innings and gave up 3 R on 6 H and 1 BB with 6 K. Arcenio Leon and Jason Stoffel each threw 1 scoreless inning in relief.

CF-Austin Wates was 1x4 with 1 BB and 1 SB. 2B-Jose Martinez was 2x4 with 1 R. 3B-Brandon Wikoff went 2x3 with 1 BB and 1 SB.

Man of the Match: Jake Buchanan

*Notes: Jon Singleton was named Texas League player of the week for the week of May 21-27. He hit .500 with four home runs and 12 runs batted in for the week. T.J. Steele was released over the weekend.

Lancaster (25-26) 

Domingo Santana continues to swing a hot bat, but the JetHawks bullpen couldn’t hold the lead as Lancaster lost 8-5 to Lake Elsinore (SD).

Tyson Perez lasted 7 innings and gave up 5 R on 8 H and 2 BB with 4 K. Brian Streilein took the loss by giving up 3 R on 3 H and 1 BB without recording an out. Brad Dydalewicz logged 1 scoreless inning.

SS-Ben Orloff was 2x5 with 1 R. RF-Domingo Santana went 2x4 with 1 2B, 1 HR, and 3 RBI. 1B-Erik Castro was 2x3 with 1 BB and 1 2B.

Man of the Match: Domingo Santana

*Notes: After his hot start, Telvin Nash is hitting just .200/.263/.422 in May with a strikeout rate of 47.5%. His 13 home runs are tied for the California League lead.

Lexington (27-23) 

After battling to tie the game in the eight inning, then again in the ninth, the Legends beat Augusta (SF) 4-3 in dramatic fashion with a bases loaded walkoff single by Jordan Scott in the tenth inning.

Luis Ordosgiotti went 7 innings, allowing 2 R on 6 H and 1 BB with 6 K. Carlos Quevedo took the final 3 innings and gave up 1 R on 2 H with 6 K.

2B-Delino DeShields was 2x4 with 1 BB. CF-Jordan Scott was 2x5 with 1 RBI. 3B-Matt Duffy went 1x4 with 1 HR. LF-Chris Epps was 2x4 with 1 2B and 2 R.

Man of the Match: Chris Epps

*Notes: Chris Epps has a twelve game hitting streak, raising his average from .111 to .262 over that stretch. After Luis Ordosgiotti’s rough debut, in which he allowed six earned runs in three and two thirds innings, he has settled in to post a 2.83 ERA over his last four starts.

Tri-City (0-0) 

Season begins June 18.

Greeneville (0-0) 

Season begins June 19.

GCL Astros (0-0) 

Season begins June 18.

DSL Astros (0-0) 

Season begins June 2nd.

Brian Bixler sent back to OKC

The Astros have sent Brian Bixler back to Oklahoma City to clear room for Jordan Lyles, and also because neither Carlos Lee or Rhiner Cruz will need to be placed on the DL. Also, the Astros will be sending someone else down tomorrow as Marwin Gonzalez's three days off for paternity leave has been exhausted, and he'll have to be activated prior to Monday's game.

Tranzactionz!

So I guess that shoulder exam in Houston yesterday didn't go so well, as Kyle Weiland has been placed on the DL with shoulder soreness - the two most vague and scariest words in the pitcher's vocabulary ("Joe West" coming in squarely in 2nd place).

Also, Marwin Gonzalez has been placed on the paternity list, so it seems that congratulations are in order.

To complement these two moves, the Astros have brought up Fernando Abad and hot-hitting Brian Bixler from Oklahoma City. Bixler has been flat-out raking at OKC, hitting .364/.417/.545 in his last ten games - and that's after going 2x12 with 6K:1BB in his last three games.

I'm quite surprised the Astros didn't call up a starter to replace Weiland. Under the current schedule, the rotation would go:
Today: Wandy
Saturday: Harrell
Sunday: Norris
Monday: Happ
Tuesday: Wandy

So unless the Astros plan on making another change in advance of Tuesday's start, Wandy would go on short rest, or some reliever will make a spot start. Unless there's something I'm just not thinking of...

PreStros Farm Report: April 21

PreStros: April 21

Oklahoma City (12-5) 

The Isotopes (LAD) jumped all over OKC starter Aneury Rodriguez as the RedHawks lost 6-1 to Albuquerque.

Rodriguez allowed all 6 R (5 earned) in just 3.2 innings by allowing 4 BB and 6 H, including 2 HR, with 5 K. Enerio Del Rosario pitched 3.1 scoreless innings with 2 H, 2 BB, and 2 K. Juan Abreu went the final 2 innings with 1 H and 1 K.

CF-Brian Bixler went 2x5 with 1 2B and 1 R. Bixler’s batting average actually went down after last night’s game. He’s now hitting .485 on the season.

Man of the Match: Brian Bixler

Corpus Christi (7-8) 

Jake Buchanan battled hard after allowing a leadoff home run, and the Corpus offense rewarded his effort as the Hooks beat Frisco (TEX) 11-3.

Buchanan went 6 innings, allowing 3 R on 12 H with 8 K for his first win of the season. Jason Stoffel pitched a scoreless inning with 1 H and 1 K. Arcenio Leon finished things up with 2 innings, 1 H, and 2 K.

LF-Jonathan Singleton was 2x5 with 1 R and 1 error. CF-Brandon Barnes was 3x5 with 1 2B, 2R, and 2 RBI. C-Chris Wallace was 1x3 with 1 BB, 1 HR, 2 R, and 1 RBI. SS-Jonathan Villar went 3x4 with 1 BB, 1 3B, 2 R, 3 RBI, and 1 SB. 3B-Andrew Simunic went 2x3 with 2 2B, 4 RBI, and 1 SB.

Man of the Match: Jonathan Villar

Lancaster (5-11) 

Friday’s contest was highlighted by another good pitching effort by both clubs, but Lancaster lost again 4-3 to Lake Elsinore (SD).

David Martinez left with an injury after 3.1 innings in which he allowed 3 R on 3 H with 5 K. Alex Sogard held things together with 4.1 innings, giving up 1 unearned R on 2 H and 1 BB with 4 K. Jorge De Leon retired the only batter he faced.

CF-George Springer was 1x3 with 1 BB, 1 3B, 1R, and 1 RBI. 1B-Telvin Nash went 1x4 with 1 2B and 1 RBI.

Man of the Match: George Springer

Lexington (7-10) 

The Legends led start to finish as they beat Kannapolis (CHW) 7-1.

Mike Foltynewicz turned in another strong performance with 6 IP allowing 1 R on 4 H and 2 BB with 5 K. Evan Grills went 2 scoreless innings giving up 1 H and 2 BB. Tanner Bushue made an appearance by pitching 1 scoreless inning with 1 BB and 1 K. Foltynewicz is now 3-1 with a 1.66 ERA.

SS-Alex Todd was 3x5 with 2 R and 1 RBI. LF-Jordan Scott was 1x3 with 1 BB and 2 R. 1B-Zach Johnson went 2x4 with 2 2B and 5 RBI. CF-Drew Muren was 2x4 with 1 2B and 1 R

Man of the Match: Zach Johnson

Tri-City (0-0) 

Season begins June 18.

Greeneville (0-0) 

Season begins June 19.

GCL Astros (0-0) 

Season begins June 18.

DSL Astros (0-0) 

Season schedule not yet posted. Opening Day June 2nd.

PreStros Farm Report: April 19

PreStros: April 19

Oklahoma City (11-4) 

The RedHawks swept last nights double-header in Nashville (MIL), taking the first game 4-3 and the second 4-2. As is often the case in minor league double-headers, each game lasted just seven innings.

Game 1:

Jordan Lyles threw 5.2 innings and gave up 3 R on 8 H and 1 BB with 6 K to get the win. Xavier Cedeno finished out the last 1.1 innings allowing 1 H and 1 BB with 2 K. Lyles is 3-0 on the season with a 2.89 ERA.

2B-Brian Bixler continued tearing up AAA pitching as he went 3x4 with 1 2B and 2 R. RF-Brad Snyder was 2x3 with 1 2B and 1 R. 3B-Scott Moore was 1x3 with 1 BB and 2 RBI. Bixler is now hitting .520 through 6 games with 2 HR and 5 SB.

Man of the Match: Brian Bixler

Game 2:

Sergio Perez left with a groin injury after throwing 2 innings and allowing 1 R on 5 H and 1 BB with 1 K. Mickey Storey picked up the next 3 innings and gave up 1 R on 2 H and 1 BB with 4 K. Fernando Abad finished the game with 2 shutout innings allowing just 1 H with 4 K for the win. Abad hasn’t allowed a run in four outings since being demoted.

2B-Jimmy Paredes was 2x3 with 1 HR, 1 R, and 3 RBI. 3B-Scott Moore was 1x2 with 1 BB, 1 3B and 1 R.

Man of the Match: Jimmy Paredes

Corpus Christi (5-8) 

The off day didn’t help Corpus regroup as they were shutout by Frisco (TEX) 10-0. The Hooks have now lost five straight, including being shutout the last two games.

Jose Cisnero went 4.2 innings and gave up 4 R on 4 H and 3 BB with 1 WP and 6 K. Erick Abreu allowed 4 R (1 earned) in 1.1 innings on 4 H. Jonnathan Aristil went 2 innings and gave up 4 H and 2 R with 1 WP and 3 K. Adalberto Flores pitched a scoreless ninth with 1 H and 2 K.

1B-Jonathan Singleton was 1x2 with 2 BB. CF-Brandon Barnes was 1x4 with 1 2B.

Man of the Match: Jonathan Singleton

Lancaster (5-9) 

The Lancaster offense took a night off as the JetHawks fell 8-1 to Lake Elsinore (SD).

Bobby Doran went 6 innings and gave up 4 R (2 earned) on 4 H and 3 BB with 4 K. Pat Urckfitz threw 1 inning and allowed 1 R on 2 H and 1 BB with 2 K. Andrew Robinson was roughed up in his 1 inning as he gave up 3 R on 1 H, 2 BB, and 1 HBP.

SS-Jio Mier was 1x3 with 1 BB and 2 SB. RF-Domingo Santana was 1x4 with 1 3B and 1 R. C-Ben Heath was 0x3 and allowed 4 SB. Runners are now 11 of 12 in stolen base attempts against Heath in 4 games.

Man of the Match: Jio Mier

Lexington (5-10) 

The Legends pitching staff was able to hold off Kannapolis (CHW) long enough for Lexington to score two runs in the ninth to beat the Intimidators 2-0.

Nick Tropeano was dominant with 8 IP, allowing just 4 H and 2 BB with 9 K. Jason Chowning struck out all three batters he faced in the ninth. Tropeano has allowed just one run this season in 19 innings to go along with 27 strikeouts and just five walks. Chowning hasn’t allowed an earned run in five outings with 10 strikeouts and two saves.

SS-Alex Todd was 3x4 with 1 R. C-Roberto Pena was 2x3 with 1 BB, 1 2B, and 2 RBI.

Man of the Match: Nick Tropeano

Tri-City (0-0) 

Season begins June 18.

Greeneville (0-0) 

Season begins June 19.

GCL Astros (0-0) 

Season begins June 18.

DSL Astros (0-0) 

Season schedule not yet posted.

PreStros Farm Report: April 14

Oklahoma City (8-2)

Memphis scored the first three runs of the game, but OKC got the last four for a 4-3 win at Memphis, with five of their eight wins coming against the Cardinals affiliate. Henry Sosa threw 5IP, 6H/3R (2ER), 5K:1BB; and then the bullpen retired 12 of the last 13 Redbirds they faced, with Jose Valdez walking a batter in the 9th to break up the Perfecto Bullpeno. Sergio Perez threw two perfect innings, and Xavier Cedeno got the win.

The offense pulled it out despite going 1x13 w/RISP. Brian Bixler was 2x3 with 2BB, 2SB, and a solo homer. Carlos Corporan had your other multi-hit game, while Angel Sanchez was 0x1, but with 3BBs. Something to keep an eye on: Brett Wallace was removed from the game with a left oblique strain in the 3rd inning, and was replaced by Diory Hernandez.

Man of the Match: Brian Bixler.

Corpus (5-4)

Despite scoring seven runs, the Hooks fell at NW Arkansas 9-7 in a back-and-forth game that saw the Hooks take a 3-0 lead in the top of the 1st, and give it back in the bottom half. NW Arkansas took a 6-3 lead after three, then traded runs in the 4th. The Hooks got three in the top-half of the 5th inning to tie it up at 7-7, and then NW Arkansas got runs in the 6th and 8th. Brett Oberholtzer got roughed up, allowing 9H/7R (6ER), 2K:0BB, 2HR in 4.1IP; Jonnathan Aristil got the loss with 3H/1ER, 3K:0BB in 2.2IP, and Arcenio Leon gave up 2H/1ER in 1IP.

Jake Goebbert was 2x5 with an RBI and an outfield assist; Brandon Barnes was 2x4 with two doubles and 2RBI, and Kody Hinze was 2x4. Jonathan Villar was 1x4 with a walk, but committed three errors at SS. Austin Wates was 0x5, making him 1x10 since inexplicably being held out of the lineup on April 11, when he was 13x26.

Man of the Match: Brandon Barnes.

Lancaster (3-6)

Lancaster jumped out to an early 3-0 lead and cruised to a 4-1 win over Lake Elsinore. Bobby Doran threw 7IP, 7H/0ER, 7K:0BB, getting nine groundouts to two flyouts for his 1st win of the season. Kirk Clark walked one in 1IP, and Jorge De Leon allowed an unearned run to lower his ERA to 13.50.

Jio Mier hit his first homer of the season to lead off the game, and George Springer hit his 2nd of the season, as did Erik Castro.

Man of the Match: Bobby Doran.

Lexington (3-7)

No scoring in this one until the 7th inning, and it was mostly Kannapolis doing the scoring after that, in a 3-1 win over the Legends. Nick Tropeano threw 6IP, allowing just 4H/0ER, 8K:2BB, with six groundouts to one fly out. In the 23 batters Tropeano faced, he either got a groundout or a strikeout on 14 of them. Nathan Pettus took the loss with 4H/3R (2ER), 2K:1BB in 3IP.

Delino DeShields was 1x3 with a walk and his 5th SB of the season; Zach Johnson drew two walks, and Roberto Pena had the only XBH of the game, with a double.

Man of the Match: Nick Tropeano

Lowrie activated, Bixler sent down

Jed Lowrie has been activated from the DL, and Brian Bixler has been sent to OKC.

We didn't get to see much of Brian Bixler - just 7PAs - but he got a hit, walked, and struck out three times.

What I'm most interested in seeing is where Mills will put Lowrie in the lineup. Originally it was thought that Lowrie would be the #2 hitter but Jose Altuve, in six short games, has been solid at the #2-hole - getting on base 10 times in 23 PAs. Lowrie has spent most of his time at #6 or #7, so we could see the following:

1. Schafer
2. Altuve
3. Martinez
4. Lee
5. Johnson
6. Bogusevic
7. Lowrie
8. Castro / Snyder
9. Pitcher

Thoughts?

Lowrie to DL

So I guess that thumb isn't ready to hold a bat, as the Astros placed him on the DL retroactive to March 29. This means he'll be eligible to come off the DL on April 13. Brian Bixler has been recalled to take his place.

Ultimately, it's the right call. As much as you'd like to see Lowrie out there, it's better to let him rest it for another week than run the risk of further injury. Obviously.

Roster finalized

So Alyson Footer tweeted that:

*Henry Sosa has been outrighted to OKC, where he'll join the rotation.
*Travis Buck's contract has been purchased.

So here is your 2012 Opening Day roster:

Rotation
J.A. Happ
Lucas Harrell
Bud Norris
Wandy Rodriguez
Kyle Weiland

Bullpen
Fernando Abad
David Carpenter
Rhiner Cruz
Wilton Lopez
Brandon Lyon
Brett Myers
Fernando Rodriguez
Wesley Wright

Catchers
Jason Castro
Chris Snyder

Infielders
Jose Altuve
Matt Downs
Marwin Gonzalez
Chris Johnson
Carlos Lee
Jed Lowrie*

Outfielders
Brian Bogusevic
Travis Buck
J.D. Martinez
Jordan Schafer

*Should Jed Lowrie hit the DL with that jacked-up thumb, Brian Bixler will take his place.

More major league cuts

As reported by the triumvirate of Astros newsbreakers Houston has removed five more from the major league roster this morning. Infielders Angel Sanchez, Scott Moore, and Brian Bixler have been reassigned to minor league camp, infielder Joe Thurston was released, and pitcher Enerio Del Rosario was optioned to the minor leagues.

Once you factor in the pending move to the DL for Sergio Escalona, that leaves 33 in camp fighting for 25 spots.

Brian Bixler clears waivers

In order to make room for the incoming Lowrie/Weiland, Brian Bixler was designated for assignment. He cleared waivers, and has accepted his outright assignment to Triple-A OKC, and will be at Spring Training as a non-roster invitee.

Brian Bixler removed from 40-man roster

Hope you enjoyed that spot on the 40-man, Brian Bixler. Because you have been outrighted to make room for Jed Lowrie and/or Kyle Weiland.

Notes from Brad Mills' press conference

Alyson Footer is giving live updates on Twitter of Brad Mills' press conference. Among the things she shares with us:

-2012 Opening Day 1B is Carlos Lee, unless Brett Wallace beats him out of a job in Spring Training.
-Jimmy Paredes' transition from 3B to SS is "unlikely."

Mills says, via Stephen Goff that Angel Sanchez, Brian Bixler, and Anderson Hernandez are your internal candidates for SS1.

Zach Levine says that the bullpen coach position won't be in place until after the GM is hired.

Breaking: Wade claims player who looks just like Barmes

Astros County has learned the reason Ed Wade claimed Brian Bixler off waivers from the Nationals. Wade will let Barmes walk, and will try to pass Bixler off as Clint Barmes in order to save $4-5 million on the 2012 payroll. With the media so focused on Jim Crane and the ownership saga, and the focus on Andre Johnson's hamstring, combined with the general "don't-give-a-crap" attitude surrounding the fanbase, Wade felt as though he could make said minor move under the radar, put Bixler in a Barmes jersey purchased from the team store, and save millions.

The evidence:



No one would ever know. You're welcome.

Astros claim Brian Bixler

Courtesy of Alyson Footer, we read that the Astros have claimed Brian Bixler off waivers from the Nationals.

In 79 games - 94 PAs - for the Nationals in 2011, he hit .205/.267/.265, with 19K:7BB, while playing at least one game in LF, CF, RF, 1B, SS, and 3B. So he's defensively versatile, I suppose.

The 29-year old Bixler - the Pirates' 2nd Round pick in 2004 - hit .314/.439/.407 for Washington's Triple-A affiliate in Syracuse in 108 PAs. In five seasons at Triple-A, Bixler has hit .280/.357/.407, with more triples (27) than homers (26).

Interestingly enough, the Pirates gave up on Bixler on January 18, 2010 when they traded him to Cleveland for Jesus Brito. Then decided to take another chance on him on six months later (7/12/10), when they re-acquired him for a Player To Be Named Later. And then Pittsburgh sold him to Washington on August 7, 2010.