Catching up on transactions

The Astros released two minor-leaguers over the course of the last week. Sayonara, Jason Dominguez and Neal Musser.

Musser, 28, was 0-0 in 4 games with Round Rock. In 7IP, Musser posted a line of 9H/4ER, 7K:4BB, 5.14 ERA/1.86 WHIP.

Dominguez, 23, was 0-0 in 4 games with Lancaster. In 5.2IP, Dominguez had: 15H/10ER, 4K:2BB, 15.88 ERA/3.00 WHIP.

Astros' youngsters impressive against Braves

So obviously there's a split-squad game tonight between the Astros and Hooks, but there was a game against the Braves, as well. Basically meaning that three Astros squads took the field today.

Against the Braves today, we got a chance to see SP-in-waiting Bud Norris start, and he did well:
Norris: 4IP, 5H, 1ER, 4K
Perez: 4IP, 2H, 1R (0ER), 1BB, 2K
Musser: 1IP, 1BB

And even better than that, the Braves basically played their OD squad: Jones, Escobar, Infante, McCann, Francoeur, Johnson. This was a major-league club, and while the bats didn't do much (1 run on 10 hits), the Astros' pitching staff was excellent. The ever-gracious Norris said this:

"I know they're in a hurry to get on their plane so they were swinging early at strikes, but at the same time I just wanted to attack and throw strikes and thought I threw the ball to the zone very well, which was good."

If that's true, that's reprehensible.

More Sayonara!

More cuts made today as the Astros trim down for Opening Day 2009 (or OD09, as it will now be known).

Pitchers Clay Hensley, Danny Graves and Neal Musser were reassigned to Minor League camp today. Graves has until Tuesday to accept the minor-league assignment and has been given permission to speak to other teams.

Says Graves: "I'm not really sure what I want to do yet. Coming into camp, this was the team I wanted to play for, and if it didn't work out here, then I felt like it was time for me to go home."

Hensley will be sent to Round Rock and prepare for a starting role.
Hensley will prepare to be a starter, but because he's versatile enough to pitch out of the 'pen as well, it's likely he'll be one of the first considered for a promotion if the Astros have a need this season.

John Gall and Matt Kata were also reassigned to Minor League camp as it's now obvious IF5 is between Jason Smith and Edwin Maysonet.

Injury Updates; Notes on Astros County

Friends, I start The New Job today, so in the interest of my employment I probably won't be posting as much between the hours of 8am-5pm. Look for posts early in the morning and in the evening.

Updates on injuries:
Backe's front foot slipped off the mound, thus straining his ribcage.

Maysonet's & Michaels' injuries may not be as serious as initially feared:
“(The Trainers) sounded pretty optimistic about Maysonet, and Michaels wasn’t as bad as originally thought,” Cooper said. “We thought it might be more of a dehydration (problem with Michaels) and they’re going to check him out. We can’t say that for sure, but hopefully.”

Drew Sutton's hamstring injury is almost 100% and he made his first start yesterday.

And newest Astro Neal Musser will pitch tonight versus Washington

This is getting kind of funny

There's a little song and dance going on: the Royals designate a player for assignment, the Astros pick him up.

Such is the case as the Astros signed LHP Neal Musser to a minor-league contract today. He has already passed his physical and thrown a bullpen session with the Astros.

Neal is a 28-year old lefty from Otterbein, Indiana and was a 2nd-round pick by the Mets in 1999. In 10 minor-league seasons, Musser has started 150 of 226 games, and is 57-54 with a 3.78 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. 688 strikeouts to 351 walks. I imagine he's headed to Round Rock.