In this first two years in the majors, 26-year old righty starting pitcher Lucas Harrell worked in 17 games (5 starts) in which he was 1-2 with a 4.71 ERA and a 1.95 WHIP. He came into spring training as a longshot to make the Astros’ pitching staff. Well, he not only made the pitching staff but he won a job in the starting rotation. Harrell has pitched in 10 games (all starts) for the Astros so far this year and he is 4-3 with a 3.72 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. The Astros hope that Harrell keeps up the good work and I have seen nothing so far this year to think he can’t.

The Astros have signed 30-year old righty starter/reliever Brian Bass to a minor league deal. Bass was pitching over in Korea this year. He pitched in 28 games (all starts) in AAA-ball for the Phillies last year and he was 8-10 with a 3.81 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP. Bass last pitched in the majors back in 2010 with the Pirates. He has now pitched in 101 games (4 starts) in his first three years with the Astros and he is 9-7 with 1 save, a 5.16 ERA and a 1.63 WHIP. Bass could get another shot at the show at some point in 2012, if he pitches well in AAA.

The Astros have placed 26-year old lefty reliever Fernando Abad on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 26th due to a strained right intercostal muscle. Abad has pitched in 15 games (0 starts) for the Astros so far this year and he is 0-0 with a 5.00 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. The Astros have called up 25-year old lefty reliever Xavier Cedeno to replace Abad in the bullpen. Cedeno has pitched in 17 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball so far this year and he is 2-0 with 1 save, a 0.42 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. He has also pitched in 3 games (0 starts) earlier this year for the Astros and he was 0-0 with a 27.00 ERA and a 4.20 WHIP. The Astros hope that Cedeno pitches like he has been in AAA-ball this time around.

The Houston Astros have acquired 20-year old lefty swinging catcher Jobduan Morales from the Marlins for 30-year old righty swinging outfielder Justin Ruggiano. Morales has not played in any games for the Marlins so far this year as he was working out in extended spring training. Morales has played in 127 games in his first three years in the minors and he is 113 for 415 (.272 avg, .754 OPS) with 67 runs scored, 4 homers and 44 RBIs. Justin Ruggiano played in 39 games in AAA-ball for the Astros this year and he was 38 for 117 (.325 avg, .990 OPS) with 21 runs scored, 5 homers, 29 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. The Astros did well in this deal as they took advantage of the Marlins in this deal as Morales is a legit prospect.

The Houston Astros have released 28-year old righty swinging shortstop Diory Hernandez. Hernandez played in 32 games in AAA-ball for the Astros this year and he was 7 for 44 (.159 avg, .399 OPS) with 5 runs scored, 0 homers, 2 RBIs and 1 stolen base. Hernandez has played in 75 games in parts of three years in the majors and he is 20 for 127 (.157 avg, .455 OPS) with 15 runs scored, 3 homers and 11 RBIs. This is no loss for the Astros.

24-year old righty swinging outfielder J.D. Martinez is having a rough time with the bat so far in 2012. Martinez has played in 37 games so far this year and he is 28 for 128 (.219 avg, .659 OPS) with 11 runs scored, 3 homers and 22 RBIs. He likely has a long leash due to the fact that the Astros are in a rebuilding mode right now. Martinez looked good late last year when he played in 53 games for the Astros in which he was 57 for 208 (.274 avg, .742 OPS) with 29 runs scored, 6 homers and 35 RBIs. The Astros hope that Martinez gets back to the hitter he was in 2011 soon.

The Houston Astros have signed 30-year old righty starting pitcher Armando Galarraga to a minor league deal. Galarraga pitched in 8 games (all starts) for the Diamondbacks last year and he was 3-4 with a 5.91 ERA and a 1.62 WHIP. He has now pitched in 95 games (86 starts) in his first 5 years in the majors and he is 26-30 with a 4.69 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. If Galarraga pitches well in the minors, he will likely get a shot for the Astros later this year.

The Astros have sold 26-year old righty starting pitcher Henry Sosa to the Kia Tigers of Korea. Sosa pitched in 6 games (all starts) in AAA-ball for the Astros this year and he was 2-0 with a 5.12 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP. Sosa pitched in 10 games (all starts) in his only year with the Astros (2011) and he was 3-5 with a 5.23 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP. I hope the Astros got a lot of cash for Sosa, because he showed pretty good potential last year.

Late in spring training the Astros decided to move 31-year old righty Brett Myers from the rotation to the bullpen to serve as the closer. He has been excellent in his new role so far this year. Myers has pitched in 14 games (0 starts) for the Astros so far this year and he is 0-1 with 9 saves, a 2.08 ERA and a 0.85 WHIP. 28-year old righty Wilton Lopez has been outstanding the last couple of years for the Astros, and he’s looking good again in 2012. Lopez has pitched in 21 games (0 starts) for the Astros so far this year and he is 3-0 with a 1.54 ERA and a 0.69 WHIP. 32-year old righty Brandon Lyon was injured most of last season and he pitched poorly because of it. But, he’s healthy and pitching well so far this year for the Astros. Lyon has pitched in 15 games (0 starts) for the Astros so far this year and he is 0-1 with a 1.88 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP. Myers and Lyon are going to be two of the biggest trading chips for the Astros in July, providing that they are out of the playoff chase.

23-year old lefty swinging outfielder Fernando Martinez is ripping the ball in AAA for the Astros so far this year. Martinez has played in 32 games in AAA-ball so far this year and he is 39 for 123 (.317 avg, .916 OPS) with 24 runs scored, 6 homers and 26 RBIs. Martinez has only played in 47 games in his first three years in the majors and he is 24 for 131 (.183 avg, .540 OPS) with 15 runs scored, 2 homers, 12 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Martinez is going to get another shot at the show at some point in 2012, if he keeps raking at the plate.