Astros’ Manager Brad Mills has decided to move 31-year old righty Brett Myers from the starting rotation to the bullpen in 2012 to close games. He will bump Brandon Lyon out of the closer’s role. Lyon will be the set-up man for Myers this year. Myers has pitched in 58 games out of the bullpen in his major league career and he is 5-6 with 21 saves, a 3.41 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. He has also started 249 games in his major league career and he is 89-79 with a 4.27 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP. Myers has been a decent reliever and I think he is going to excel in his new role with the Astros in 2012.

35-year old righty swinging Carlos Lee will be the Astros’ full-time 1B in 2012. Lee played in 155 games for the Astros last year and he was 161 for 585 (.275 avg, .788 OPS) with 66 runs scored, 18 homers, 94 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. He has now played in 749 games in his first five years with the Astros and he is 820 for 2,863 (.286 avg, .824 OPS) with 352 runs scored, 128 homers, 504 RBIs and 26 stolen bases. Lee has now played in 1,952 games in his first 13 years in the majors and he is 2,128 of 7,433 (.286 avg, .831 OPS) with 1,072 runs scored, 349 homers, 1,286 RBIs and 122 stolen bases. Lee looks like a statue at 1B as he made 5 errors in 79 games at 1B for the Astros last year. The Astros will put up with Lee’s D as long as he keeps raking with the bat.

25-year old lefty swinging Brett Wallace might still be the Astros’ 1B of the future, but he’s going to need to step up at some point. Wallace played in 115 games for the Astros last year and he was 87 for 336 (.259 avg, .703 OPS) with 37 runs scored, 5 homers, 29 RBIs and 1 stolen base. He has now played in 166 games in his first two years with the Astros and he is 119 of 480 (.248 avg, .677 OPS) with 51 runs scored, 7 homers, 42 RBIs and 1 stolen base. Wallace also has shown poor plate discipline so far in his major league career as he has whiffed 141 times while walking 44 times. Wallace made 6 errors in 96 games at 1B for the Astros last year. Wallace will need to improve with the bat and the mitt before the Astros give him another chance.

PROJECTED GRADE AT 1B IN 2012: B

24-year old lefty swinging Jason Castro tore his ACL last spring, but he appears to be ready to go. His only major league experience came back in 2010 with the Astros. Castro played in 67 games for the Astros in 2010 and he was 40 for 195 (.205 avg, .573 OPS) with 26 runs scored, 2 homers and 8 RBIs. If Castro has a good spring, he can win the starting job behind the plate for the Astros in 2012. If he struggles this spring, he will likely start the 2012 season in AAA-ball as the Astros don’t really want to play him in the majors until he’s ready to have some success as he is a key to the team’s future.

31-year old righty swinging Chris Snyder is in camp on a minor league deal, but he’s likely going to make the team as the starter (if Castro starts in the minors) or the backup. Snyder played in only 34 games for the Pirates last year due to a back problem and he was 26 for 96 (.271 avg, .772 OPS) with 13 runs scored, 3 homers and 17 RBIs. Snyder has now played in 630 games in his first 8 years in the majors and he is 426 of 1,846 (.231 avg, .727 OPS) with 204 runs scored, 70 homers and 273 RBIs. Snyder didn’t have any errors in 33 games behind the plate last season for the Pirates but he did have 5 passed balls. Snyder threw out 5 of 23 (21.7%) base stealers last year and Pirates’ pitchers had a 3.39 ERA when he was behind the dish…and that is pretty impressive.

32-year old righty swinging Humberto Quintero will be back to compete for a job this spring. He played in 79 games for the Astros last year and he was 63 for 262 (.240 avg, .575 OPS) with 22 runs scored, 2 homers, 25 RBIs and 1 stolen base. Quintero has now played in 344 games in his first 7 years with the Astros and he is 229 for 980 (.234 avg, .585 OPS) with 72 runs scored, 13 homers, 82 RBIs and 1 stolen base. He has now played in 379 games in his first 9 years in the majors and he is 252 for 1,075 (.234 avg, .589 OPS) with 80 runs scored, 15 homers, 94 RBIs and 1 stolen base. Quintero had 5 errors and 3 passed balls in 77 games behind the plate for the Astros last year. He also threw out 11 of 62 (17.7%) base stealers last year and Astros’ pitchers had a 4.61 ERA with him behind the dish last year.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE CATCHERS IN 2012: D

The Houston Astros are going to need some of their younger pitchers to step up in the bullpen in 2012, or they are going to have a hard time holding leads. Here is a look at the bullpen as of right now:

Closer: Brandon Lyon: 32-year old righty Brandon Lyon tried to pitch hurt last year for the Astros and it didn’t go too well at all. Lyon pitched in 15 games (0 starts) for the Astros last year and he was 3-3 with 4 saves, a 11.48 ERA and a 2.40 WHIP. He has pitched in 94 games (0 starts) in his first two years with the Astros and he is 9-9 with 24 saves, a 4.34 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP. Lyon has now pitched in 468 games (21 starts) in his first 10 years in the majors and he is 36-43 with 78 saves, a 4.22 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP.

Set-Up Man: Wilton Lopez: 28-year old righty Wilton Lopez is the Astros’ best reliever. Lopez pitched in 73 games (0 starts) for the Astros last year and he was 2-6 with a 2.79 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. He has now pitched in 149 games (2 starts) in his first three years with the Astros and he is 7-10 with 1 save, a 3.55 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. Lopez will be first in line if Lyon falters again in 2012.

Righties: Enerio Del Rosario: 26-year old Enerio Del Rosario pitched in 54 games (0 starts) for the Astros last year and he was 0-3 with a 4.58 ERA and a 1.70 WHIP. He has pitched in 56 games (0 starts) in his first two years with the Astros and he is 0-3 with a 4.97 ERA and a 1.73 WHIP. He has now pitched in 65 games (0 starts) in his first two years in the majors and he is 1-4 with a 4.57 ERA and a 1.76 WHIP. Del Rosario is going to have to pitch well in spring training to make the Astros’ bullpen.

Fernando Rodriguez: 27-year old Fernando Rodriguez pitched in 47 games (0 starts) for the Astros last year and he was 2-3 with a 3.96 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP. He has now pitched in 48 games (0 starts) in his first two years in the majors and he is 2-3 with a 4.25 ERA and a 1.59 WHIP. Rodriguez is likely going to start the 2012 season with the Astros, but he will have to pitch well to keep the job.

David Carpenter: 26-year old David Carpenter pitched well in his first taste of the majors last year. He pitched in 34 games (0 starts) for the Astros last year and he was 1-3 with 1 save, a 2.93 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP. Carpenter also pitched in 33 games (0 starts) in AA+AAA-ball last year and he was 0-1 with 14 saves, a 1.91 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP. Carpenter is almost a lock to start the 2012 season with the Astros and they hope he keeps up the good work.

Juan Abreu: 26-year old Juan Abreu pitched in 7 games (0 starts) for the Astros last year and he was 0-0 with a 2.70 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. He also pitched in 48 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball last year and he was 5-2 with 4 saves, a 2.18 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. Abreu is going to have a good shot to make the Astros’ bullpen if he has a decent spring.

Rhiner Cruz: The Astros took 25-year old Rhiner Cruz in the Rule 5 Draft away from the Mets. That will give him a good shot to stick in the pen in 2012. He pitched in 44 games (0 starts) in A+AA ball last year and he was 5-3 with 7 saves, a 3.89 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. Cruz has now pitched in 215 games (1 start) in his 7 years in the minors and he is 14-16 with 43 saves, a 3.44 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP.

Lance Pendleton: 28-year old Lance Pendleton pitched in 4 games (0 starts) for the Astros last year and he was 0-0 with a 17.36 ERA and a 2.36 WHIP. He pitched in 15 games (0 starts) overall last year for the Yankees & Astros and he was 0-0 with a 6.75 ERA and a 1.66 WHIP. He also pitched in 18 games (10 starts) in AAA-ball for the Yankees last year and he was 3-4 with 1 save, a 3.10 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. Pendleton will have a legit shot to win a spot in the Astros’ pen this spring.

Xavier Cedeno: 25-year old Xavier Cedeno got a rough introduction into the show last year for the Astros. Cedeno pitched in 3 games (0 starts) for the Astros last year and he was 0-0 with a 27.00 ERA and a 4.20 WHIP. He also pitched in 35 games (22 starts) in AA+AAA-ball last year and he was 7-9 with a 4.38 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP.

Jose Valdez: 29-year old Jose Valdez will need to pitch well in spring training to earn a spot in the Astros’ pen. He pitched in 12 games (0 starts) for the Astros last year and he was 0-0 with a 9.00 ERA and a 1.71 WHIP. Valdez also pitched in 24 games (0 starts) in Rookie+AAA-ball last year and he was 1-1 with 9 saves, a 5.47 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP.

Lefties: Sergio Escalona: 27-year old Sergio Escalona will likely be the Astros’ top lefty out of the pen in 2012. He pitched in 49 games (0 starts) for the Astros last year and he was 2-1 with a 2.93 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. Escalona has now pitched in 63 games (0 starts) in his first two years in the majors and he is 3-1 with a 3.48 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP.

Wesley Wright: 27-year old Wesley Wright pitched pretty well for the Astros last year. He worked in 21 games (0 starts) for the Astros in 2011 and he was 0-0 with a 1.50 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP. Wright has now pitched in 155 games (4 starts) in his four years with the Astros and he is 8-9 with 1 save, a 5.02 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. He is going to have to beat out Fernando Abad for a spot in the pen this spring.

Fernando Abad: 26-year old Fernando Abad took a step back in 2011 for the Astros. He pitched in 29 games (0 starts) for the Astros last year and he was 1-4 with a 7.32 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. Abad has now pitched in 51 games (0 starts) in his first two years in the majors and he is 1-5 with a 5.12 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE BULLPEN IN 2012: D-

The Houston Astros have signed 29-year old righty swinging outfielder Justin Ruggiano to a minor league deal. He played in 46 games for the Rays last year and he was 26 for 105 (.248 avg, .673 OPS) with 11 runs scored, 4 homers, 13 RBIs and 1 stolen base. Ruggiano has now played in 98 games in his first three years in the majors and he was 44 for 195 (.226 avg, .621 OPS) with 22 runs scored, 6 homers, 23 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. Ruggiano will get to compete for a job on the Astros’ bench this spring.

The Houston Astros are going to have a lot of pitchers competing for the #4 and #5 spots in the starting rotation for 2012 this spring, and that is a good thing. Here is a look at how the Astros’ starting rotation looks right now:

#1: Brett Myers: 31-year old righty Brett Myers took a step back for the Astros after his excellent year in 2010. Myers pitched in 34 games (33 starts) for the Astros last year and he was 7-14 with a 4.46 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. He has now pitched in 67 games (66 starts) in his first two years with the Astros and he is 21-22 with a 3.79 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. Myers has now pitched in 307 games (249 starts) in his first 10 years in the majors and he is 94-85 with 21 saves, a 4.24 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP. I look for him to rebound in 2012 as he is a much better pitcher than the one that showed up in 2011.

#2: Wandy Rodriguez: 33-year old lefty Wandy Rodriguez is also a solid pitcher for the Astros. He gives the Astros a chance to win every time he takes the hill. Rodriguez pitched in 30 games (all starts) for the Astros last year and he was 11-11 with a 3.49 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. He has now pitched in 206 games (197 starts) in his first 7 years with the Astros and he is 73-75 with a 4.07 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. Look for Rodriguez to keep pitching well for the Astros in 2012.

#3: Bud Norris: 26-year old righty Bud Norris stepped up in 2011. He pitched in 31 games (all starts) for the Astros last year and he was 6-11 with a 3.77 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. Norris has now pitched in 69 games (68 starts) in his first three years with the Astros and he is 21-24 with a 4.33 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP. The Astros think that Norris has the stuff to be a #1 or #2 starter in the very near future, as he has outstanding stuff.

#4 and #5: J.A. Happ: 29-year old lefty J.A. Happ is going to have to earn a spot in the starting rotation in 2012 this spring. Happ pitched in 28 games (all starts) for the Astros last year and he was 6-15 with a 5.35 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP. He has now pitched in 41 games (all starts) in his first two years with the Astros and he is 11-19 with a 4.85 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. Happ has now pitched in 88 games (72 starts) in his first five years in the majors and he is 25-24 with a 4.00 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. Happ might get his act back together will his job on the line this spring.

Livan Hernandez: 36-year old righty Livan Hernandez recently signed a minor league deal and he will be in the fray this spring for a rotation spot. He pitched in 29 games (all starts) for the Nationals last year and he was 8-13 with a 4.47 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP. Hernandez has now pitched in 475 games (474 starts) in his first 16 years in the majors and he is 174-176 with a 4.39 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP. Hernandez is a workhorse type who eats a lot of innings, so it’s going to be hard to count him out of this competition.

Zach Duke: 28-year old lefty Zach Duke will also have a decent shot of winning a rotation spot this spring for the Astros. Duke has pitched in 21 games (9 starts) for the D-Backs last year and he was 3-4 with 1 save, a 4.93 ERA and a 1.57 WHIP. Duke has now pitched in 181 games (168 starts) in his first 7 years in the majors and he is 48-74 with 1 save, a 4.56 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP. Duke could also win a job in the pen if he loses out in the competition for the starting rotation.

Jordan Lyles: 21-year old righty Jordan Lyles is one of the Astros’ better prospects. He got his first taste of the majors in 2011 with the Astros and he worked in 20 games (15 starts) in which he was 2-8 with a 5.36 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. Lyles also pitched in 12 games (10 starts) in AAA-ball last year and he was 3-3 with a 3.55 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. If Lyles is ready, the Astros will have a hard time not giving him a spot in the rotation out of spring training.

Kyle Weiland: 25-year old righty Kyle Weiland came to the Astros in a deal with the Red Sox over the winter. He was roughed up in his first taste of the majors last year. He pitched in 7 games (5 starts) for the Red Sox last year and he was 0-3 with a 7.66 ERA and a 1.66 WHIP. He also pitched in 24 games (all starts) in AAA-ball last year and he was 8-10 with a 3.58 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. It will be interesting to see if Weiland was just nervous in his first taste of the majors, because he does have good stuff.

Henry Sosa: 26-year old righty Henry Sosa had some ups and downs in his first taste of the majors with the Astros last year. He pitched in 10 games (all starts) for the Astros last year and he was 3-5 with a 5.23 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP. Sosa also pitched in 29 games (10 starts) in AA+AAA-ball last year and he was 10-3 with a 4.53 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP. Sosa will be a longshot to win a job in the Astros’ rotation when the 2012 season starts.

Lucas Harrell: 26-year old righty Lucas Harrell looked good in a late season audition for the Astros in 2011. Harrell pitched in 6 games (2 starts) for the Astros last year and he was 0-2 with a 3.46 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. He pitched in 9 games (2 starts) overall last year for the White Sox & Astros and he was 0-2 with a 4.50 ERA and a 1.72 WHIP. Harrell has now pitched in 17 games (5 starts) in his first two years in the majors and he is 1-2 with a 4.71 ERA and a 1.95 WHIP.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE STARTING ROTATION IN 2012: C+

The Astros have signed 33-year old righty swinging 1B/3B Mike Hessman to a minor league deal. Hessman played in 48 games in Japan last year and he was 25 for 130 (.192 avg, .637 OPS) with 9 runs scored, 6 homers and 14 RBIs. He last played in the majors back in 2010 with the New York Mets. Hessman has played in 109 games in his first five years in the majors and he is 42 for 223 (.188 avg, .694 OPS) with 29 runs scored, 14 homers and 33 RBIs. He has also whiffed 79 times already in his major league career as he has some pretty big holes in his swing. That being said, Hessman will get a shot to compete for a bench job this spring.

The Astros have signed 36-year old righty starting pitcher Livan Hernandez to a minor league deal. He pitched in 29 games (all starts) for the Nationals last year and he was 8-13 with a 4.47 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP. Hernandez has now pitched in 476 games (474 starts) in his first 16 years in the majors and he is 174-176 with a 4.39 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP. Hernandez will enter the battle to be the Astros’ #5 starter in 2012 this spring.

UPDATE: (3/30/2012) - The Astros have released Livan Hernandez. He was quickly signed by the Braves.