When the Astros traded five players for Miguel Tejada last season they were expecting his usual power numbers. But, his first day as an Astro was the same day he was named in the Mitchell Report. He has turned into a singles hitting shortstop and that’s not what the Astros bargained for. He has played in 28 games for the Astros this season and he is 33 for 115 (.287 avg, .674 OPS) with 13 runs scored, 0 homers and 8 RBIs. Tejada has now played in 186 games in his career with the Astros and he is 212 for 747 (.284 avg) with 105 runs scored, 13 homers, 74 RBIs and 8 stolen bases. It appears that the Orioles pulled a fast one on the Astros two winters ago.

The Houston Astros have signed 37-year old righty reliever Brendan Donnelly to a minor league deal. He pitched in 15 games (0 starts) for the Indians last season and he was 1-0 with a 8.56 ERA and a 2.20 WHIP. Donnelly has now pitched in 318 games (0 starts) in his major league career and he is 26-9 with 4 saves, a 3.12 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP. If Donnelly is right health wise this was a excellent signing for the Astros. If he’s not healthy they can just cut him loose.

You have to wonder if reserve infielder Jason Smith has some dirt on somebody in the Astros’ organization because he still has a job with them despite not even getting on base safely via a walk or a hit yet this season. Smith has played in 16 games for the Astros this season and he is 0 for 20 (.000 avg, .000 OPS) with 1 run scored and 1 RBI. The Astros need to cut Smith loose and get someone on the bench who can contribute with the bat.

UPDATE: The Astros finally came to their senses and they have got rid of Jason Smith. Smith finished up playing in 17 games for the Astros in which he was 0 for 21 (.000 avg, .000 OPS) with 1 run scored and 1 RBI. He was designated for assignment. The Astros have recalled righty reliever Alberto Arias to replace him on the roster. Arias pitched in 4 games (3 starts) in AAA so far this season and he was 2-2 with a 3.86 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. Arias has pitched in 22 games (2 starts) in his major league career and he is 2-1 with a 4.40 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP. The Astros hope that Arias will give them some help in the bullpen.

UPDATE II: Somehow Jason Smith got another chance with the Astros but he has now been outrighted to AAA. Why not just release him? Smith played in 21 games for the Astros this season and he was 0 for 25 (.000 avg) with 1 run scored and 1 RBI. Hopefully this is the last time the Astros call him up! Don’t they have anyone better than him in the minors?

The Astros didn’t expect legit power numbers out of the 3B spot this season but Geoff Blum and Jeff Keppinger are both hitting well. Blum has played in 22 games this season for the Astros and he is 20 for 68 (.294 avg, .702 OPS) with 7 runs scored and 4 RBIs. Keppinger has played in 11 games for the Astros so far this season and he is 11 for 27 (.407 avg, 1.191 OPS) with 3 runs scored, 1 homer and 2 RBIs. Keppinger has also only whiffed one time so far this season which is pretty darn amazing. The Astros would be pleased with Blum and Keppinger if they just keep hitting like they are right now despite not putting up much in the run production area.

Lefty Wandy Rodriguez has been the best starting pitcher for the Astros so far this season and that’s saying a lot when Roy Oswalt is on the staff. Rodriguez has started 5 games so far this season and he is 2-2 with a 1.69 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP. He has only allowed 21 hits while striking out 27 batters in 32 innings showing what kind of stuff he has going right now. If Rodriguez can keep up the good work the Astros could be better than most experts thought they would be.

The Houston Astros have placed closer Jose Valverde on the 15-day disabled list with a strained calf. He has pitched in 8 games (0 starts) this season for the Astros and he is 0-1 with 2 saves, a 5.63 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. Latroy Hawkins will replace Valverde as the closer while he is out. Hawkins has pitched in 10 games for the Astros this season and he is 0-0 with 2 saves, a 3.60 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. Hawkins has 78 career saves so he should be able to handle the pressure while Valverde is out, but, he’s not in Valverde’s league as a pitcher.